LOS ANGELES - October 10, 2017: National nonprofit Step Up announces the appointment of Heather Foster to its national board of directors. Foster brings 15 years of experience in public relations, education, nonprofit administration, policy analysis and event planning.
Currently, Foster serves as vice president of Widmeyer Communications, a strategic communications and public policy advocacy firm specializing in education. Prior to joining Widmeyer earlier this year, she held posts with My Brother's Keeper Alliance, The Obama White House and the U.S. Department of Education. Foster was an advisor to President Obama in the White House Office of Public Engagement. Through her public policy and political experience, Foster saw the value in mentoring young students and remains dedicated in encouraging young women to participate in public service.
"As Step Up expands our services for high school girls in the areas of mentorship and social and emotional learning, we are excited to have industry-leading experts like Heather guiding our strategy," CEO Jenni Luke said. "I thank Heather for her commitment to joining Step Up in mentoring the next generation of professional women."
This school year, Step Up will provide after-school and weekend mentoring programs for 2,000 high school girls in 29 schools in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York.
Foster resides in Washington D.C. and joins a national board of directors that also includes:
- Marnie Kain Cacossa, EVP, Grey Group
- Margaret Coady, executive director, Coach Foundation and Corporate
- Social Responsibility, Coach, Inc.
- Erin M. Collins, managing director, KPMG LLP
- Shayna Cook, attorney & partner, Goldman Ismail LLP
- Leslie E. DeHoff, partner, Ernst & Young LLP
- Angela Elbert, partner, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, LLP
- Diane Holland, global chief financial officer, POSSIBLE
- Sara Holoubek, CEO, Luminary Labs
- Todd Kahn, president & chief administrative officer, Coach, Inc.
- Kaye Popofsky Kramer, founder, Step Up
- Keli Lee, EVP, talent and casting, ABC Entertainment Group
- Sara Link, head of Citizen AOL, president, AOL Charitable Foundation
- Jenni Luke, CEO, Step Up
- Barri Rafferty, senior partner, chief executive officer North America, Ketchum
- Kelley Schadt, director of marketing, The Container Store
- Wendi Sturgis, chief customer officer, Yext
- Marcy Twete, division manager, corporate responsibility, Americas; executive director, USA Foundation, ArcelorMittal
ABOUT STEP UP
Step Up believes all girls should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Through after-school and weekend mentorship programs, the nonprofit works with girls from under-resourced communities on becoming confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. Connect at suwn.org.
