Kevin Jennings, current assistant deputy secretary and head of the U.S. Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools through the Obama Administration’s Department of Education, has been named the new president and CEO of campaign nonprofit Be the Change.
Jennings, who made a name for himself as the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network before taking his position with the Education Department, stated that he has been honored to serve the Obama Administration and is now looking forward to returning to the nonprofit sector.
Be the Change is currently under the leadership of president Alan Khazei, who also co-founded City Year.
According to spokesmen for the nonprofit organization, Jennings will take his new post as of July 25, 2011, to the delight and enthusiasm of board members and board chair Josh Bekenstein.
“We are delighted to draw a leader of Kevin’s caliber to succeed Alan,” Bekenstein stated in a press release.
Bekenstein went on to praise Jennings’ experience as both a government official and seasoned non-profit leader, and noted that he is an ideal choice to replace Khazei.
Be the Change is a campaign-oriented national nonprofit that seeks to organize coalitions between other non-profit groups, policymakers, entrepreneurs, civic leaders and private citizens in order to promote critical issues and create change.
