New London — New London Main Street has hired the former head of the Stepping Stones Foundation in Katonah, N.Y., as its new executive director.

Annah Perch, who lives in Niantic, began working at the New London Main Street office on State Street April 22. Main Street’s Board of Directors has changed the chief executive officer’s post to a part-time executive director with the potential to become full-time.

Perch has a master’s degree in urban planning with a specialty in housing and community development from the State University of New York at Albany. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, with minors in sociology and journalism.

“I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to New London Main Street and to working with the Board of Directors, the City’s current administration and various interest groups to bring value to the businesses and residents of New London and the downtown district,” Perch said in a prepared statement released Wednesday.

She said the plan for the U.S. Coast Guard Museum “has the potential to be a great opportunity. ... I’m coming on board at an exciting time for New London’s waterfront district and this organization can be a great resource for everyone involved.”

Perch replaces Penny Parsekian, who had been with Main Street since its inception in 1998. She resigned last August and was replaced by an interim executive director, Linda English, whose contract ended Nov. 30.

“New London Main Street has been going through a transition in past months and it is clear that we have turned an important corner in hiring Annah,’’ said Bence Strickland, board president. “I have complete confidence that she brings a unique experience to the role that will tie in nicely with the work of all the district organizations.”

At Stepping Stones, Perch’s duties included historic preservation, event planning, grant writing, fundraising, community development and nonprofit management.

Prior to Stepping Stones, she was director of annual giving and special events at Mercy College and was development director for The Catalog for Giving of New York City. She also worked as a Community Reinvestment Act analyst at the New York State Banking Department.

k.edgecomb@theday.com