Jill K. Cox is our new CEO

We are pleased to announce that Jill Cox has been named president and CEO of Communities In Schools of NC following a nationwide search. Jill is the former Chief Operating Officer for CISNC and has been serving as interim CEO since the search process began in July of 2020.

“Jill has been part of the leadership team at CISNC for seven years,” said CISNC Board Chair Ben Pysch. “Jill is a known leader in the statewide Communities In Schools network and the nonprofit community. She has worked with the legislative team to build a strong relationship with key members of the General Assembly and leaders in the business community that support the critical work of CISNC.”

“I have known and worked with Jill for the past 9 years,” said James Speed, Financial Chair for the Board of CISNC. “She is well respected in the business community and leads a very talented and dedicated team at CISNC.” 

Cox assumed her role as president and CEO of Communities In Schools of North Carolina at the start of the new year. She will support a network of 22 statewide CIS affiliate organizations, as well as lead direct service work in 14 primarily rural communities across the state.

She has long been a leader in North Carolina’s non-profit and education community, with more than 15 years of experience leading innovative education initiatives, building community partnerships, and aligning efforts to strengthen program impact. 

“Closing gaps for students got harder during the pandemic. Our students were left isolated, disconnected and with limited access to basic needs like food,” Cox said.  “These challenges won’t go away anytime soon, but I look forward to working with our team to drive innovation in the delivery of wraparound supports for students, families, teachers and communities.  By deepening partnerships and building on relationships, we have the ability to use this time to reimagine how we support those hardest hit.”