PHOENIX, Sept. 25, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mary Kay Phelps has been named vice president, marketing and development of the Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of America. Phelps joins the Foundation after five years with the American Red Cross, where she served as senior director of direct response, managing cause marketing, direct marketing, online fund raising, and gift fulfillment.
Under Phelps' leadership, the American Red Cross raised up to $50 million annually through an in-house staff of 28 people and multiple outside vendors. Phelps previously directed planned giving and direct marketing, and served as acting vice president of development during an extended leave taken by the vice president. During her assignment as acting vice president, she led a department of more than 100 professionals, generating revenues in excess of $600 million annually.
Prior to her experience with the American Red Cross, Phelps spent six years with Craver, Mathews, Smith, the premier direct marketing consulting group working with major nonprofits. Phelps holds a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary.
"Mary Kay Phelps comes to us with an outstanding record of marketing experience and fund-raising success," said Paula Van Ness, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. "Her strong background in social marketing will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation."
Phelps will relocate to Phoenix, officially beginning her position with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America on Oct. 1, 2001.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with 81 chapters in the United States and its territories, and 22 international affiliates on five continents. Since being founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 83,000 wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org.
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CONTACT: Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
Jim Maggio, Director of Communications
(602) 279-9474
jmaggio@wish.org
Anne Strauss, Media Relations Manager
(646) 756-2856
astrauss@wish.org