News

Pisgah Legal names new executive director

Jackie Kiger

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 8, 2024

Jaclyn “Jackie” Kiger has been promoted from chief operations officers to become the new executive director of Pisgah Legal Service, the nonprofit legal aid agency announced Monday, marking the first time in three decades someone other than Jim Barrett will lead the effort.

Barrett is retiring after 41 years of serving the nonprofit, which assists more than 23,000 people in Western North Carolina each year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jackie as our new executive director," John Noor, president of the PLS Board of Directors and a leader of the search effort, said in a news release. "She brings experience, passion and commitment to the work of Pisgah Legal Services. We are very fortunate to benefit from the leadership she has already exemplified as Pisgah Legal’s chief operations officer, her strong working relationship with the staff, her well-established local connections, and her years of experience as a dedicated and compassionate attorney representing people in need.”

“As executive director," Kiger said, "I will offer my full enthusiasm, zealous advocacy and genuine dedication to championing Pisgah Legal Services so that we may continue to increase access to justice and improve the lives of thousands of local people in our region each year. I have worked closely with Jim Barrett for years and have a unique understanding of the way Pisgah Legal operates, thus allowing me to step seamlessly into this role and support the stability of the organization for our staff and our clients.”

Kiger joined PLS in 2010 as a public benefits and housing attorney and in 2013 helped implement the organization’s Affordable Care Act Health Justice Enrollment Program. In 2014 she was promoted to managing attorney to oversee PLS' health justice, public benefits and immigration work. Kiger obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology from Duquesne University, a master of social work from UNC at Chapel Hill and a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta. Kiger has served as chief operations officer at Pisgah Legal Services since 2019. Her first day serving as Pisgah Legal's executive director will be Aug. 3.