The youth-development organization BRIDGES has a new president.

Cynthia Ham, principal and chief public relations officer for archer-malmo, will leave the firm she’s been with for 15 years to start work Feb. 15 as BRIDGES’ new head. She succeeds Jim Boyd, who stepped down late last year after 16 years with the organization, which works to build a community of leaders to advance racial, economic, educational and environmental justice in Memphis and Shelby County.

During his tenure, Boyd oversaw tremendous growth in Bridge Builders, the organization’s signature program for high school juniors and seniors. Also under his leadership, the organization raised funds to build in 2004 the BRIDGES Center, 477 N. Fifth St.

Ham joins BRIDGES at a time it’s working to expand its youth programming. By 2015, BRIDGES will triple the number of youth served each year.

“When the BRIDGES opportunity arose, I could not resist the idea of leading such a dynamic 90-year-old Memphis institution that continues to develop leaders and change the lives and attitudes of young people,” Ham wrote in an email Monday, Jan. 23. “I will miss my partners and the 100 amazing people who make archer-malmo one of the best places to work in America. But it is time to start a new chapter in my life and career.”

Ham said archer-malmo will conduct a national search to find a replacement to oversee the public relations and experiential marketing disciplines at the agency.