Oct 20 Allies for Children Announces Jamie Baxter as Executive Director

(October 20, 2021) The Allies for Children Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jamie Baxter will become the organization’s new Executive Director effective November 1, 2021.

In the search for a new executive director, Allies for Children created a search committee that included both board members and key stakeholders. In partnership with Marcum-Raffa, the committee conducted a nationwide search that yielded a large pool of qualified candidates. Following several rounds of screening and interviews, the search committee concluded that Ms. Baxter was the best candidate to fill the position. Their recommendation was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.

Ms. Baxter currently serves as the education policy director for Allies for Children and has prominently led Allies for Children’s education policy work since 2017. During her time at Allies for Children, she has led advocacy and policy efforts around school funding, school transportation, and career and technical education, among other areas. Prior to joining the organization, she served as the Director of Legislative Policy and Advocacy at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit where she advocated for school districts, early childhood programs, and other policy issues impacting children and youth.

“Jamie has a track record of working with diverse constituencies across a variety of issues affecting children in our region. She brings an energy and vision to her leadership of Allies for Children that will continue to expand our advocacy and impact well into the future.” Julie Fallon Hughes, Allies for Children’s Board President.

Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Ms. Baxter returned back to the area in 2012 after serving for many years as a lead lobbyist in Washington DC advocating for issues impacting career and technical education and workforce development. “My entire career has been dedicated to advancing policy solutions that improve the wellbeing of children. As a mother to two small boys, I want to create the best future I can for them and for all children. I am honored and excited to serve as the Executive Director and for the opportunity to continue to build on the many successes of Allies for Children” Jamie Baxter, Allies for Children Executive Director.

For questions, please reach out to Ms. Baxter directly at jamie.baxter@alliesforchildren.org.

Allies for Children was launched in 2013 with the vision of advancing bold policy and practice efforts that would truly improve the lives of children now and for many years to come. The organization focuses on health and education policy areas, and many areas in between. With the use of evidence-based research and community partnerships, the organization has and continues to approach advocacy with an eye towards being a catalyst in many community conversations and projects.

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Allies for Children, a nonpartisan nonprofit, serves as a bold voice for policy and practice changes that improve the wellbeing of all children and youth in Allegheny County. For more information, visit alliesforchildren.org.