Jumpstart Announces New Leadership of National Board of Directors

Kim L. Mitchell to join Chris Stadler as Co-Chair of National Early Education Nonprofit

BOSTON, MA (May 16, 2018) – Jumpstart, a national early education organization that helps prepare young children from low-income communities for kindergarten, is pleased to announce an addition to its National Board of Directors leadership. Kim L. Mitchell, a current Jumpstart board member and Vice President of Program Development and Operations at NPower, will join Jumpstart’s current board chair, Chris Stadler, to co-chair Jumpstart’s National Board of Directors.

Jumpstart’s National Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from a variety of sectors and backgrounds with one thing in common: the desire for every child to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. Their passion leads strategy, guides governance, and galvanizes support for Jumpstart’s work and mission.

Ms. Mitchell brings decades of leadership experience in philanthropy, human resources, consulting, and diversity and inclusion from her time at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Xerox Corporation to her new role as Co-Chair of Jumpstart’s National Board. As the former Northeast Region Executive for Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, Kim led philanthropic, civic, and employee engagement activities and managed a social investment portfolio of over $40 million in grants and strategic sponsorships. In her current role at NPower, she is responsible for leading the organization’s programmatic direction and strategic growth agenda for impact and expansion. In addition, Ms. Mitchell has a strong track record of engagement and visibility on the Jumpstart Board, recently leading the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning process.

“Marion Wright Edelman often quotes Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said, ’The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.’ What excites me most about the opportunity to become co-chair of Jumpstart’s Board is the chance to more deeply serve our society’s children, particularly children in low-income communities – to help level the playing field for kindergarten readiness,” explains Mitchell. “I am also inspired to continue to help lead Jumpstart’s intentional effort to build a pipeline of future educators and transition its members into advocates for education who will support policies and investments that drive equity, access, and high-quality initiatives for preschool children.”

“Kim’s deep experience with philanthropy, foundations, and operations combined with her long-term, demonstrated commitment to Jumpstart and the communities we serve will enhance the effectiveness of our national board,” says Chris Stadler. “I am excited to partner with Kim and the other national board members as Jumpstart heads into its 25th year of service.”

In addition to the new co-chair structure, Jumpstart is pleased to announce the appointment of three new national board members. Delia Arellano-Weddleton, Senior Program Officer at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, brings a strong background in social services and community outreach. Joseph I. Castro, PhD, MPP, serves as the president of California State University, Fresno, and a professor of educational leadership at the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. Linda K. Smith is the Director of Early Childhood Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, DC-based think tank that promotes bipartisanship and actively works to find consensus and common ground on key challenges facing the nation.

ABOUT JUMPSTART

Jumpstart is a national early education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Jumpstart delivers a research-based and cost-effective program by training college students and community volunteers to serve preschool-age children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path for lifelong success. Jumpstart is also a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. Learn more at jstart.org and follow us on Twitter at @Jumpstartkids.

Media Contact

Carly Stearnbourne
Email | 857.413.4578

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