Dean Athanasia
Cradles to Crayons®, a nonprofit organization that provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive, is pleased to announce Dean Athanasia as their new Chairman of the National Board of Directors. Dean Athanasia, President of Preferred & Small Business Banking and Cohead of Consumer Banking at Bank of America, has served on the Cradles to Crayons Board of Directors since 2014.
Bank of America, a Cradles to Crayons’ national partner, has contributed over $1.2 million in funding since 2005. Through these contributions, Cradles to Crayons continues to expand and help an increasing number of children living in poverty across the country. Cradles to Crayons was awarded Bank of America’s esteemed Neighborhood Builders Award—the nation’s largest philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership development—for Massachusetts in 2010 and Greater Philadelphia in 2012.
“I am honored to assume the role of Chairman for the Cradles to Crayons National Board,” said Dean Athanasia. “It has been a pleasure working with the Cradles to Crayons team and supporting the work they do for the community. I look forward to pursuing new opportunities with the board as we continue to expand the Cradles to Crayons brand and mission.”
Dean Athanasia will replace Jordan Hitch of Bain Capital, who previously served as the National Chairman for two years. While stepping down as Chairman, Hitch will remain on the National Board. Athanasia has worked alongside Hitch on the board since 2014 and will continue to expand on their efforts and policies in his new role as Chairman. In addition, Athanasia has played a significant role in Bank of America’s sponsorship involvement and national partnership with the nonprofit.
“We are extremely thankful for Dean’s ongoing support and dedication to our organization and for stepping into this new leadership role,” said Lynn Margherio, Cradles to Crayons, Founder and CEO. “We are also grateful for Bank of America’s support and guidance over many years. This extraordinary partnership has been vital to our organization and future plans to continue to grow and assist children in need.
For 14 years in Boston, nine in Philadelphia and now in Chicago, Cradles to Crayons has been providing children and families in need with clothing, books, school supplies, and toys to help children feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Over 300,000 volunteers and several hundred service partners have committed to the organization over the years and have assisted in delivering the essentials children need to succeed at home and in the classroom. This year, Cradles to Crayons marked its one millionth child served since its inception. Under the leadership of CEO and Founder, Lynn Margherio, Cradles to Crayons plans to extend its reach and influence with the development of two new locations in the United States within the next few years.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 47 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 4,600 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning online banking with approximately 34 million active accounts and more than 21 million mobile active users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank of America news.
About Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons launched in 2002 and has operations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The nonprofit provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. Cradles to Crayons mobilizes communities of plenty on behalf of communities of need, recycling and reusing high-quality children’s goods and engaging thousands of youth and adults in tangible service activities each year that benefit local children. For more information go to www.cradlestocrayons.org.
