Communities In Schools Appoints Debra Montanino Chief Development Officer

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Aug 30, 2010, 03:34 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Communities In Schools, the leading organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, today announced the appointment of Debra Montanino to the newly created position of Chief Development Officer. Montanino will be responsible for formulating and implementing a comprehensive resource development strategy for Communities In Schools.

Montanino brings more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of nonprofit governance and management, with a particular emphasis on volunteer leadership and resource development. Prior to coming to Communities In Schools as Campaign Director, Debra served as the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at American Rivers for almost six years. Earlier in her career she served as Executive Director of the Ellington Fund, the nonprofit arm of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, and has held senior leadership positions in some of the nation's most prestigious nonprofit organizations.

"Debra brings a deep understanding of emerging trends in philanthropy and a passion for our mission," said Daniel Cardinali, President of Communities In Schools. "Her leadership will play a vital role in identifying additional resources to grow our organization and serve more young people."

Montanino will serve on the Executive Team with Cardinali; Carolyn Spaht-Gonzalez, Executive Vice President, National Network; Jan Bigelow, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; and Michael Bento, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications.

Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,200 schools, in the most challenged communities, in 26 states, and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. It has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to increase graduation rates.

Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.

SOURCE Communities In Schools