National Organizations for Youth Safety® (NOYS) Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of National Organizations for Youth Safety is pleased to announce that Anita B. Boles has been named Executive Director. Ms. Boles will lead the organization in its efforts to promote youth empowerment and leadership through partnerships that promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth. Boles has an extensive background in building and managing coalitions in the non-profit sector.

"The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Anita," said NOYS President, Hilda Crespo. "Her vast experience working with coalitions and her dedication to sound nonprofit management make her an excellent candidate to lead NOYS."

Boles replaces Sandra Spavone who led the organization for seven years before leaving to become the Executive Director of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA.)

Before joining NOYS, Boles served as Founder and Co-chair of the National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military, and Chair of the National Summit: Arts, a national collaborative of military, government, and civilian agencies dedicated to advancing the arts in health, healing, and healthcare for military service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers.  Prior to that she served as Executive Director of Global Alliance for Arts & Health (formerly the Society for the Arts in Healthcare), in Washington, DC, an international non-profit membership organization working to advance the arts in health, healing, and healthcare.

"It is a pleasure to join NOYS, an organization dedicated to promoting safe and healthy behaviors among our nation's youth," Boles adds.  "I look forward to working with the organization's talented staff, leaders, and members to promote youth empowerment and leadership and build critical partnerships that advance the NOYS mission to save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth."

Boles holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, a Master of Science in Public Service Administration from Russell Sage College Evening Division, Albany, New York, and has pursued Doctoral Studies in Public Administration at University of Southern California, Washington Public Affairs Center, Washington, DC.

Boles is the recipient of 15 professional and service awards, including a Presidential Management Fellowship with the United States Government and nine Director's or Meritorious Awards at the United States Attorney's Office.  She has authored, co-authored, or edited 16 published articles, chapters, or books, including Improving Community Response to Crime.

For further information please contact: Roy Bavaro, Interim CEO, [email protected], 917-628-8786.

About National Organizations for Youth Safety:  NOYS is a collaboration of over 70 national, youth-serving organizations, including non-profit organizations, business and industry leaders, and government agencies, with the common goal of promoting safe and healthy behaviors among our nation's youth.

SOURCE National Organizations for Youth Safety