Charleston, SC (PRWEB) February 01, 2016
WINGS for kids, a nonprofit afterschool program that helps elementary students build social and emotional skills, today welcomed new members to its Board of Directors. The following national experts in social and emotional learning, human resources, technology, finance and entertainment have joined the Board to help WINGS prepare more at-risk students across the country for personal and academic success:
•Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
•Rebecca R. Marson, Human Resource Director for Blackbaud, Inc.
•Steve Parker, Jr., Co-Founder and CEO of Levelwing
•John Roberts Jr., Board of Directors Member of DuPont Fabros Technology
•Mike Tollin, Television Producer and Director
“Our new board members provide WINGS for kids with an unprecedented level of expertise that will help us give more kids the communication and self-regulation skills they need to stay in school, learn and access college and career opportunities,” said Bridget Laird, CEO of WINGS for kids. “We are delighted to work together with these incredible individuals as we continue to strengthen our programs in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia and consider how best to bring WINGS to students across the country.”
As director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc Brackett brings an extensive research background to the WINGS for kids Board of Directors. Brackett was the recipient of the prestigious Joseph E. Zins Award for his research on social and emotional learning and serves on the advisory board of several organizations including CASEL, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, and the Greater Good Science Center. “WINGS has created a model for social and emotional learning that is working for some of our youngest and most vulnerable learners,” said Brackett. “I’m honored to join the WINGS board and looking forward to helping the organization grow further.”
Rebecca Marson, an accomplished human resource leader, has been recognized for her excellence in organizational design and effectiveness, strategic staffing, and organizational change management. She currently serves as a human resource director for Blackbaud, Inc. where she designs and implements creative solutions to organizational needs. Marson’s professional experience also includes leading Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Commercial Operations Business Partnership as the head of human resources. Marson has leadership experience in brand marketing, holding managerial roles at neuroscience and oncology organizations.
Steve Parker brings 18 years of digital strategy expertise to the WINGS for kids Board. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Levelwing, a digital advertising agency, Parker uses data to develop marketing solutions for clients in various fields. In 2010 the agency was named the #1 Fastest Growing Company by the Charleston Regional Business Journal. Parker previously led Internet and media-related efforts at America’s Health Network, News Corporation, Medscape, and iVillage.
John Roberts Jr. is a renowned leader in global development, real estate, and investment with over 25 years of experience in the field. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of DuPont Fabros Technology and previously served as president of AMB Capital Partners, LLC where he led the company’s private capital ventures and raised $4 billion in equity from international organizations including foundations and endowments. Roberts also served as the director of real estate investment at Ameritech Pension Trust, managing a portfolio of over $1.5 billion.
Mike Tollin possesses over 30 years of experience in producing television content for youth audiences. Tollin is best known for his production and direction of beloved television shows including Coach Carter, Varsity Blues, All That, Kenan & Kel, and One Tree Hill. Tollin was one of the creators of the Emmy Award-winning series The Baseball Bunch and serves on the board of several foundations including Common Sense Media. Tollin is a founding member of PACE (Philanthropy And Community Engagement) a small, private organization dedicated to finding and supporting good works with a particular focus on children’s and family issues. “I care deeply about helping kids develop a strong foundation for success in life,” noted Tollin. “WINGS provides a missing piece of the puzzle for at-risk kids and I’m delighted to support that mission as a new member of the board of directors.”
The terms of new board members begin January 2016.
About WINGS for kids
WINGS for kids is a nonprofit education program that teaches kids how to behave well, make good decisions and build healthy relationships. The program weaves a comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum into a fresh and fun afterschool program—specifically targeted toward supporting low-income, minority students. Kids get the life lessons they need to succeed and be happy, and a safe place to call home after the school day ends.
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