CCSSO Welcomes Chief Development Officer

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Simintha HeadshotWashington, D.C. (March 20, 2019) –– The Council of Chief States School Officers (CCSSO) today announced that Simintha Esson has joined the Council as Chief Development Officer, managing strategic partnerships to ensure the organization’s continued growth, sustainability and mission-driven success. 

In this role, Esson will design a comprehensive development program to engage and nurture current and future philanthropic partners, corporations, foundations, and government entities, while creating new opportunities to expand CCSSO’s mission-focused fundraising efforts. 

CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education and the five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. The Council’s work is anchored in ensuring all students receive an equitable education and graduate prepared for college, careers and life.

“CCSSO is pleased to welcome Simintha and we are excited to have someone with her experience leading our development efforts going forward. Simintha and her team will support the Council and the work we do with states to advance equity for all students and ensure every child graduates from high school prepared for college, careers and life,” said Carissa Moffat Miller, CCSSO executive director.

Esson brings more than 12 years of experience in development, program management and foundation and corporate relations. She most recently served as the chief development officer for the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Foundation, where she was responsible for developing and executing the organizations’ fundraising, program and marketing strategies.

“Today, more than half the students attending k-12 public schools live in poverty, and half are students of color,” Esson said. “Extensive research and data show that social class is one of the most significant predictors of educational success.”

“CCSSO is leading the charge to address inequities in the education system to ensure every child – regardless of background —graduates prepared for college, careers, and life. That’s why I’m pleased to join the CCSSO family, and its efforts to improve equitable access to education.”

Prior to that, Esson served as managing director of strategic partnerships for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and, has also served in multiple leadership roles at the American Diabetes Association. 

Esson has a bachelor’s and master’s from Loyola University in Chicago. She earned her master’s degree in social justice and wrote her graduate thesis on social justice in the education system, which attracted her to the role at CCSSO, given the Council’s focus on ensuring equitable education opportunities for all students. 
 

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The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.

 


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