Policy Advisor and Political Strategist Christy Gleason Named Executive Director of Save the Children Action Network

Gleason also joins Save the Children as Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 31, 2021) — Save the Children announced today that Christy Gleason, strategist and policy advisor to Senator Chris Coons, will become Executive Director of Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) effective April 12. Gleason will also serve as Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns for Save the Children. SCAN President Mark Shriver will assume the new role of Chief Strategy Officer for Save the Children.

“I am absolutely thrilled that Christy is joining Save the Children and SCAN, particularly at such a critical time for the organization and for children,” said Janti Soeripto, Save the Children President and CEO and SCAN Board Chair. “Christy’s depth of experience in domestic and global policy issues as well as political strategy are certain to make an even greater impact for kids here in the U.S. and around the world. We’re grateful for Mark’s leadership of SCAN since its inception, and we are thrilled he will continue advocating for children’s rights in his new role of Chief Strategy Officer.”

“Kids’ futures depend on what the public and policymakers do today,” said Shriver. “Christy will be a tremendous asset to Save the Children and SCAN, as together we work to mobilize policymakers and everyday advocates across America and the world to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

For eight years, Gleason has served as strategist and policy advisor to Delaware Senator Chris Coons, advising him on a wide range of policy issues, including global health, housing, foreign policy, equity, education, appropriations and ethics. She also worked to connect local Delaware voices to the legislative process, serving as a liaison to diaspora communities, non-profits, faith communities and others. Prior to joining the Senate, she served as senior staff in county government and as chief of staff for state legislators in New Jersey.

“I’ve spent the past 20 years working in government and politics to connect people to the policy-making process,” said Gleason. “I am delighted at the opportunity to join the stellar teams at Save the Children and SCAN, to advocate with and help advance progress for the people who truly need it most – kids. As a mom, I understand the unique needs of children and how critical it is we prioritize the issues that will help build the bright futures kids deserve. I look forward to ensuring that leaders at all levels of government prioritize the most urgent issues for children and families in the U.S. and the world.”

On the political side, Gleason managed Senator Coons’ successful campaigns in 2010, 2014 and 2020, and served as his political advisor for more than 15 years. She was executive director and political director for the Camden County Democratic Committee in New Jersey, campaign manager for state legislative and attorney general races, and program director for the Center for American Women and Politics.

SCAN builds bipartisan will to ensure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning, no child in the U.S. goes hungry and that children’s right are not violated at the U.S.-Southern border. SCAN, along with Save the Children, also builds support and advocates for change on a range of critical international issues including humanitarian crises, protecting children in conflict, gender equality and girls’ empowerment, and global health.

Since its founding in 2014, SCAN has grown to having staff and volunteer leaders in 19 states and a grassroots network of nearly 400,000 supporters from every state in the nation. SCAN will continue to expand in the coming years.

Gleason earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in international relations from American University and her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware, with her husband and their 6-year-old son.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.