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New Executive Director: Cheryl Brenn
Optimist International Welcomes New Executive Director
Optimist International is proud to introduce our new executive director, Cheryl Brenn. Cheryl comes to Optimist after 14 years with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), a global youth leadership organization where she served in multiple capacities, including Chief International Programs Officer. This is not OI’s first partnership with HOBY; Optimist International worked with HOBY beginning in December 1981. Under Optimist International Past President Silverman, a partnership was formed, and by 1995 it was reported: “Optimists were volunteering at approximately 300 HOBY leadership seminars across the Unites States and Canada.” (Bruns, David: Bringing Out the Best)
Before her work at HOBY, Cheryl spent a decade at the New York State School Boards Association where she led their membership and marketing departments as well as large-scale event management.
Benny Ellerbe said of Brenn in a statement before his retirement in September 2021.
Cheryl relocated to St Louis in early August and has been excited to explore the local area and is eager to move into her new home in early November (and finally have her fur family with her). She not only brings extensive nonprofit management experience to her position with Optimist International, but also a lifetime commitment to volunteerism and community service. She strongly believes the OI headquarters staff should mirror our Clubs and Members through volunteerism and community service, “We should not only understand what it is to be an Optimist, but walk-the-walk through service to our local community”.
As Cheryl transitions into the executive director role, she is committed to upholding the Optimist mission, vision and purpose while moving the organization forward towards new growth and possibilities.
You can reach Cheryl via email at Cheryl.brenn@optimist.org or connect with her via social media through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
