826 National Welcomes New CEO, Gerald Richards

Aug. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- San Francisco, California—826 National, a network of nine nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students ages 6-18 with their expository and creative writing, is thrilled to announce Gerald Richards as its new Chief Executive Officer. Co-founded by educator Nínive Calegari and author Dave Eggers, 826 National is the umbrella organization supporting the work of chapters in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. These eight locations serve over 22,000 students and produce over 800 publications annually.

Richards’ background as an educator-advocate and seasoned fundraiser, with over twelve years experience providing opportunities for youth through education, is an exciting addition to the 826 organization. Most recently, Richards worked as the Executive Director of the Bay Area Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, where he led the regional team in doubling the number of students served by their seventeen school sites. Prior to his work in the Bay Area, Richards worked in Chicago with the United Negro College Fund, The Cradle Foundation, and the Chicago Panel on School Policy. A native of Harlem in New York City, he is excited to work for an organization with direct connections to so many of the communities with which he has strong roots.

Tynnetta McIntosh, 826 National Board President, notes that: “Richards’ strong track record of youth advocacy coupled with his excellent fundraising and organizational leadership skills makes him a perfect fit with our mission.  We are delighted to welcome him to the 826 family.”

“Gerald’s experience and expertise is an eerily perfect fit for 826,” says co-founder Dave Eggers. “He not only has done major fundraising and planning at other major nonprofits, but he has an MFA in fiction. My co-founder Nínive Calegari provided 826 with incredible vision and built the network to where it currently stands. And though she’s completely irreplaceable, Gerald is that one-in-a-million type of a guy who has the leadership and charisma to step into her very large shoes.”  

Nínive Calegari, founding CEO and 826 National Co-founder, has stepped aside in order to spend more time with her family, but will continue to support the work of 826 chapters as an advisor, collaborating on major projects and initiatives. 826 National has flourished under Nínive’s vision and guidance, and is incredibly honored to have her strong leadership model in place as we move into the next decade of 826 programs with Richards at the helm.

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826 national is a family of nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing at eight locations across the country.