Ellen Magnis Joins Minds Matter as New Executive Director
New York, NY – September 1, 2015 — Ellen Magnis will take the helm at Minds Matter as the organization’s new Executive Director in the national office beginning in late September 2015. Magnis joins Minds Matter after an almost eight year tenure at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC).
Magnis, who was second in charge at DCAC, was responsible for fundraising, legislative affairs and public relations. She launched and scaled the agency’s education program and led the dramatic growth of national corporate partnerships and federal agency relationships for an internationally attended annual conference for more than 3,900 professionals. Known within the agency as a mentoring supervisor, she also spearheaded cross-agency improvements in performance management and led, in collaboration with the CEO and Board of Trustees, the development, execution and monitoring of an aggressive strategic plan.
Magnis began her non-profit career and spent seven years at the national center of the American Heart Association where she rose rapidly in the organization to hold a variety of leadership roles, providing an excellent training ground for large-scale strategy and national/state/local program development and implementation. She was the organization’s leader and spokesperson for a highly successful effort to improve stroke care across the country, noted in the literature as a “case study for systems change.”
As Executive Director at Minds Matter’s national office, Magnis will work closely with innovative volunteer leadership at the organization’s 12 chapters to develop a three-year strategic plan, to drive increased awareness of Minds Matter and to generate resources to support the agency’s ongoing success. She will also work to create new partnerships to strengthen program delivery across the country.
“I was ‘sold’ after meeting with students and graduates of the program,” Magnis notes. “I know determination, grit and gratitude when I see it, and I am very honored to help take Minds Matter to the next level, in partnership with an incredibly dedicated group of volunteer leaders.”
Magnis has an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Sociology and Research) and an MBA with a concentration in Organizations and Strategy from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Magnis is committed to helping transform the lives of children and youth, and is a first-generation college graduate herself.
About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. 100% of Minds Matter program graduates are accepted into a four-year college. More than 70% of them attend some of our nation’s more selective colleges. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 12 cities across the country. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.