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Local Voices

PEP's Announces Its New Executive Director Kathy Hedge

The nonprofit Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) announced today that Kathy Hedge will become its new Executive Director in June following the planned retirement of Cheryl Wieker.

“Kathy is a nonprofit executive with 25 years of experience in fund raising, board development, planning and administration,” said Patricia Pannuto, Chairman of PEP’s Board of Directors. “She also is a graduate of PEP’s three core classes so she is very familiar with PEP’s education model and philosophy. As we got to know Kathy, it became clear that she would be an excellent new leader for PEP.”

Ms. Hedge is a results-oriented and collaborative leader and the author of the new book Engaging Your Board in Fundraising: A Staff’s Guide (published by BoardSource, 2014). Prior to joining PEP, Ms. Hedge provided strategic planning, fundraising consultations and training as an independent consultant. From 2009 to 2012, she served as the Deputy Director for the Center for a New American Dream where she oversaw the organization’s finances, fundraising and operations. From 1995 to 2009, Ms. Hedge held executive positions at BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards), leading special projects and serving as its chief fundraising officer. She also has worked for American Red Cross, American Youth Hostels and Hariri Foundation.

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Ms. Hedge graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and French and received her master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland.

During Ms. Wieker’s 14 years as Executive Director, PEP more than tripled class enrollment, doubled the number of class instructors, and tripled the funds raised through the Annual Giving Campaign, allowing PEP to more than double its annual budget. Ms. Wieker also provided the leadership and vision to facilitate the addition of online registration, social media, one-on-one parent education through the PEP Consult program and a new, more versatile website that launched in March.

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“I’m so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful organization that supports parents in our community,” said Ms. Wieker. 

For 30 years, PEP has offered the Washington, D.C. area’s most highly-regarded, in-depth parenting classes. PEP, a locally-based, nonprofit, currently serves 5,000 parents of toddlers though teens each year. PEP gives parents education, skills training and support to create stronger, more harmonious families. For more information, please visit PEPparent.org.

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