Business Leader and Noted Philanthropist Elaine Wynn is Named Board Chairman of Communities In Schools
Alexandria, Virginia – Communities In Schools, the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, is proud to announce that Elaine Wynn, director of Wynn Resorts and nationally recognized children’s advocate, has been elected chairman of their national board of directors. Wynn, who has served as a Communities In Schools national board member since 1999, is the first woman in the 30-year history of the organization to hold this position.
“For more than a decade, I have supported the work of Communities In Schools, both nationally and in my home state of Nevada. I love the mission of this organization, and I am thrilled to serve in this capacity,” said Wynn. She added, “Reducing America’s dropout rate is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Through the work Communities In Schools does every day in communities across the country, children have the opportunity to realize their full potential.”
Wynn, who along with her husband Steve oversees Wynn Resorts, has been integral to the growth of CIS. Since the time she joined the national board of directors, CIS has grown from serving 700,000 students to currently serving 1.2 million. She is the founding chairman of Communities In Schools of Nevada, and began her new role as national board chairman in early November.
“Elaine assumes the helm of Communities In Schools at a critical time,” said Daniel J. Cardinali, president, Communities In Schools, Inc. “As a well respected leader in the business, public policy and philanthropic community, she is prepared to guide the national network forward. There is an increasing need for our services, and her passion and business acumen will serve the organization well.”
Wynn is a long-time champion of education and children. She is a past member of the Executive Board of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education, serves on the State of Nevada Council to Establish Academic Standards, and chaired the UNLV Foundation – the university’s private fundraising arm – for eight years and continues to serve on the governing board. She also served as co-chairman of the United Way Campaign in 1985 and is a member of the national board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Wynn’s community involvement has resulted in her being named the Governor’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2005 and earned her an honorary doctorate from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in 1986. She was also recently honored at the White House with one of seven National Promise of America Founders Awards for improving children’s lives. She is most proud of the dedication of the Elaine Wynn Elementary School in 1991.
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, working in more than 3,400 K-12 public schools. Founded in 1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Today, 1.2 million young people every year receive direct services through more than 200 Communities In Schools local affiliates in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Between 80-90 percent of our tracked students show improvement in academic achievement, attendance, behavior and promotion to the next grade level.
Contact: Debbie Veney Robinson, CIS National Office, 703-518-2545, RobinsonD@CISNet.org