NEW YORK –February 23, 2015– Step Up, the national nonprofit dedicated to propelling girls from under-resourced communities to fulfill their potential, announced the appointment of Marnie Kain as chair of its New York chapter board of directors today.
Kain is an executive vice president and group account director at Grey, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. She first joined Step Up’s New York board in 2012, and has served as co-chair for the organization’s signature fundraiser annual benefit, Power Hour, for two years. Her term as chair will run through 2016, during which she’ll also serve on the national board of directors of Step Up.
“Marnie is a dynamic, innovative and passionate leader whose contributions have already benefitted the organization in many ways,” Sarah Wendt, managing director of Step Up, said. “As chair, her efforts will empower other women in the city to give back and help more deserving teen girls. Under Marnie’s leadership, we look forward to expanding Step Up's reach and elevating our impact.”
As chair of the 17-member New York board of directors, Kain will lead the charge to raise funds and awareness for Step Up’s local programs that empower teens to be confident, college-bound, career-focused and ready to join the next generation of professional women.
“It's inspiring to connect with our teen girls and help them pursue futures they never could have imagined for themselves,” Kain said. “I am also thrilled to bring together the sharpest women in New York to achieve and perpetuate our mission.”
In New York City, Step Up provides after-school and mentoring programs for more than 300 high school girls, from five New York City public schools. With the goal of empowering girls from under-resourced communities to realize their potential, the organization leverages the time, talents and resources of its professional women members. Step Up members give back to the teens as mentors and professional role models and help the organization connect to resources on a local and national level. Step Up boasts more than 700 women members and 10,000 donors and supporters in New York. Nationally, Step Up has a reach of 130,000. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Step Up also has an office in Chicago and recently announced its upcoming expansion to Dallas.
Among her professional and philanthropic peers, Kain is known as an inspiring leader with a passion for creative collaboration, marketing innovation and strategic solutions. Respected for the ability to drive integrated business results across regions, disciplines and channels, her acumen was honed by leading numerous cross-functional marketing communication teams for major corporations including J.M. Smucker, T. J. Maxx, J.C.Penney, Procter & Gamble, Wendy’s, Chase, Humana, and Carnival Corporation. Prior to Grey, Kain held leadership roles with Saatchi & Saatchi and N.W. Ayer, as well as board seats with the Advertising Club of New York and the American Advertising Federation of Greater Miami.
Kain is a graduate of the University of Florida and currently lives in Brookville, N.Y., with her husband and two young daughters. Joining Kain in service on the New York board include Susan Aminoff (Elias Arts), Marietta Daniel (communications and political consultant), Darline Jean (Pulse Point), Wendy Jones (Och-Ziff Capital Management), Jenna Karadbil (Law Offices of Jenna F. Karadbil), Helen Leis (Oliver Wyman), Kris Maccini (Gerstein Fisher), Marta Martinez (AOL Platforms), Cathy Mayone (In-Sync Strategy Group), Naysa Mishler (LinkedIn), Alisa Norris (RR Donnelley), Kelly Pasterick (Alcoa), Judi Rosenthal (Rosenthal Design), Kristin Hoff Smith (Finsbury), Danelle Snider (Corcoran) and Lenny van Eijk (American Express).
