STUART, FL, July 24, 2017- Following a formal, multi-sector, nation-wide search, the National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC) announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Vicki Jay as Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2017.
“I am elated to join the NAGC team”, shared Vicki Jay. “I recognize this opportunity as a privilege to serve a mission that is near and dear to my heart. Being part of this movement is truly an honor and a blessing, and I will strive to fulfill the role of CEO and be an advocate for those we serve.”
Jay brings with her decades of experience in the children’s bereavement field, significant subject matter expertise, and a successful track record as a nonprofit CEO. She has extensive fundraising experience and is known for her ability to collaborate, bring people with diverse perspectives together, and create sustainable impact.
Fueled by a passion for the field and her dedication to and enthusiasm for working with children in need, Jay’s experience, credentials, and energy are a great match for what the Alliance needs to build on the significant accomplishments of the past and meet the milestones and opportunities that await in the future.
Jay most recently served as the founding Executive Director of Midland Shared Spaces, an organization that serves as the nonprofit hub for the community in Midland, TX. Her background is in education with a focus on child development, special education, and early childhood. Jay worked as a classroom teacher and preschool director before working for Hospice of Midland. Her nineteen-year career at Hospice of Midland included various roles, including ten years as Founder and Executive Director of Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Center.
Jay is a servant leader and strives to be an example for others. Serving in many leadership roles has given her the opportunity to sharpen her skill set and to serve as a mentor to others. She is recognized for her strengths in public speaking and community education.
Jay has received many honors, awards and recognitions for her work with nonprofits and in the field of bereavement, including the National Jefferson Award for Community Service, a prestigious national recognition honoring community and public voluntarism in America. Recipients are “ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition.”
A graduate of Texas Tech University, Jay currently resides in Midland, Texas. In addition to her professional and community roles, Jay cherishes her role of wife, mother, friend and recently “Nana.”
Vicki Jay will officially begin her term as CEO on September 1, 2017. Outgoing CEO, Andy McNiel, has agreed to stay on through September 15 and work closely with Jay over the next 45 days to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
About The National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC)
The National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC) is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. Through the collective voice of our members and partners we educate, advocate and raise awareness about childhood bereavement.
The NAGC is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families. For more information, visit: www.ChildrenGrieve.org.
