Jennifer Sirangelo Named Chief Executive Officer of National 4-H Council

CHEVY CHASE, Md., July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --National 4-H Council's (Council) Board of Trustees announced today that Jennifer Sirangelo, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been appointed to the top post at the organization. Sirangelo, who joined Council in 2006 to grow support for the 4-H movement worldwide, will succeed the current CEO, Donald T. Floyd, Jr. who is retiring after 22 years with National 4-H Council. Sirangelo will officially assume her new position on January 1, 2014.

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"What an incredible testament to the outstanding leadership within 4-H that we have been able to select one of our own to lead this organization into the future," said James C. Borel, chairman of National 4-H Council's Board of Trustees, executive vice president, DuPont Company and a 4-H alum. "Jennifer's incredible track record, transformational leadership expertise and interpersonal savvy make her the best choice to help 4-H bring opportunities and access to more young people than ever before."

Sirangelo's appointment to serve as Council's president and CEO comes as the organization launches new, aggressive fundraising efforts in support of the 7 million 4-H young people in more than 50 countries around the world.

As part of a best-in-class succession planning process begun in 2010, Council's Board of Trustees engaged Korn Ferry International in October of 2012 to conduct a global search for qualified internal and external candidates.

"The Board followed a comprehensive and disciplined approach to find a leader who not only believes passionately in the power of young people, but also has the skills and experience to take National 4-H Council to the next level," said Trustee Alison Lewis, senior vice president, North America marketing, The Coca Cola Company, who led the Board's succession committee. "We had a strong slate of candidates that Korn Ferry presented—outstanding and proven leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors. After a rigorous and intense process, Jennifer became the clear choice."

In her 7 years serving within National 4-H Council, Sirangelo more than tripled annual fundraising and led the process to develop the organization's new strategic plan.

During her 20 year career, Sirangelo has demonstrated a tireless passion for youth development. Before joining National 4-H Council, Sirangelo was regional vice president for Boys & Girls Clubs of America where she was responsible for Board development and fundraising strategy in 11 northeastern states. She also served as the vice president of marketing and development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. Prior to her work with Boys & Girls Clubs, Jennifer worked in development for William Jewell College and the National Kidney Foundation.

"Jennifer has the skills, experience, talent and vision to lead Council into an even more dynamic future, while maintaining its commitment to serve the thousands of Cooperative Extension professionals and volunteers that deliver 4-H programming," shared Trustee William Hare, associate dean/director, land-grant programs, University of the District of Columbia, a former member of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and a member of the Board's succession committee. "That's why, after an in-depth and collaborative search, the Board unanimously chose Jennifer."

Sirangelo grew up in Missouri and is aunt to two members of the KC Explorers 4-H Club in Kansas City, Missouri. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and political science from William Jewell College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University, and attended St. Peter's College at Oxford University. As an undergraduate, Sirangelo was recognized as a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

About 4-H
4-H is a community of seven million young people across the globe learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, nonprofit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. In the U.S., 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Overseas, 4-H programs are active in more than 50 countries on six continents around the world. For more information about 4-H, go to www.4-H.org.

About National 4-H Council
National 4-H Council supports national and state 4-H programs with a focus on fundraising, brand management, communications, and legal and fiduciary services. Council also oversees the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, and the National 4-H Supply Service, the authorized agent for items bearing the 4-H name and emblem.  As a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity and one of just 1,800 charities to be given 4-Stars by Charity Navigator, National 4-H Council is a strong leader in the non-profit community. Learn more about how you can support National 4-H Council in building a stronger world for our young people. National 4-H Council is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of corporate executives and private citizens with varied backgrounds including representatives from USDA, state Cooperative Extension and land-grant universities, along with 4-H youth.

SOURCE National 4-H Council Board of Trustees