Senate Confirms Barbara Stewart as CEO of Volunteer Agency
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Barbara Stewart of Illinois as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service. President Donald J. Trump nominated Stewart in November.
“I am humbled by the trust that President Trump has placed in me and I am grateful for the support of the U.S. Senate,” said Stewart. “America is based on the shared belief in the power of individuals to build a better nation. Citizen service crosses all boundaries – and has always been at the heart of what it means to be an American. I’m honored to represent the millions of volunteers that make up the backbone of this nation as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.”
A federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service administers AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteering and service initiatives, such as the MLK and 9/11 Days of Service. The agency engages millions of Americans in service each year and operates programs in 50,000 locations across the nation that are preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs, reducing crime and reviving cities, connecting returning veterans to jobs, fighting the opioid epidemic, supporting seniors to live independently, making college more accessible and affordable, and helping Americans rebuild their lives following a disaster.
“Throughout her career, Barbara built strong teams, managed budgets with fiscal responsibility, and created and led programs to deliver results,’” said Shamina Singh, Chair of the CNCS Board of Directors. “She will bring her business-like focus to CNCS, leading the agency and the thousands of outstanding organizations it supports to higher levels of impact, effectiveness, and accountability. The Board looks forward to Barbara taking the helm, and thanks Kim Mansaray for her outstanding leadership as Acting CEO over the past year.”
“Barbara Stewart has a great opportunity to expand the spirit of community service throughout the country. I’m pleased she has been confirmed to lead an organization with programs, like the National Civilian Community Corps campus in Vicksburg, that can provide valuable support for improving schools, neighborhoods and towns,” said U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the National Service Caucus.
“I’m pleased that Barbara Stewart was confirmed to lead the Corporation for National and Community Service,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons, co-chair of the National Service Caucus. “National service has the ability to address our nation’s most pressing challenges, and I greatly look forward to working with Mrs. Stewart to promote national service and expand its impact in communities across our country. As co-chair of the National Service Caucus with Senator Cochran, it is my hope that we can continue to build support for national service programs among colleagues on the Hill and expand service opportunities for all.”
Ms. Stewart brings more than 25 years of experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to CNCS, including high-level corporate and government leadership roles. As a consultant, board member, and volunteer, Barbara has spent many years helping nonprofits strengthen their governance, operations, and sustainability so they can better pursue their mission and achieve community impact.
Ms. Stewart retired from JPMorgan Chase as a senior vice president in the firm’s Global Government Relations Group. Previously, she served in policy and management roles in Illinois state government, and led the Chicago public affairs practice of Fleischman-Hillard. She holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University and co-founded the Bowe-Stewart Foundation. Ms. Stewart also serves as a Trustee of the Adler Planetarium and the Civic Federation of Chicago and sits on the Boards of Christopher House, the Baltimore Urban debate League, and the Center for Urban Families.