DALLAS – May 02, 2012 – Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas CEO Lori Palmer was recently elected to the Girls Inc. national board. A lifelong advocate for women and girls, Palmer will help oversee a nonprofit organization whose roots go back to 1864 and that serves girls ages 6 to 18 in all 50 states and two Canadian provinces. The Dallas affiliate, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, has been empowering girls to take charge of their daily lives through effective skills and enrichment programs for more than 40 years.
“I am honored and excited to serve on the national board of directors and represent the affiliates of Girls Inc. geographic Region II, located in states west of Tennessee and south of Missouri,” says Palmer, who has served as CEO of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas since 2007. “On the National Board I will have even more of an opportunity to serve the Girls Inc. mission, have an impact on critical issues facing girls in today’s world and contribute to the national discussion concerning young people and the future of our country.”
Prior to joining Girls Inc. of Metropolitan
Dallas, Ms. Palmer served as the first executive director of the North Texas
Food Bank. She was a member of the Dallas City Council for eight years, where
she chaired the Health & Human Services Committee and the City of Dallas
Domestic Violence Task Force. Ms. Palmer holds a master’s degree in social work
from the University of Texas at Arlington with an emphasis on community planning
and nonprofit administration. She has received the Maura Award from the Dallas
Women’s Center, as well as other awards for community service.
“Girls Incorporated has a uniquely powerful track record of providing girls with the enrichment and resources they need to reach their full potential,” notes Palmer. “For the last 13 years here in the Dallas-based affiliate, 100 percent of Girls Inc. seniors graduated from high school and pursued some form of higher education. Nearly 60 percent of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas scholars received a bachelor’s degree and 31 percent a master’s degree or higher. And in 12 of the 13 years, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas participants avoided pregnancies.”
“We are thrilled that Lori will be serving on the board,” said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Girls Inc. at the national level. “The Girls Inc. Board of Directors plays critically important roles in partnering with the Girls Inc. executive team to help the organization fulfill its mission, reach its goals, secure its long-term financial foundation and flourish. Lori’s service will be instrumental as Girls Inc. continues to shine in its role of empowering girls and young women.”
“I met Lori when I joined the board of Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas in 2008,” reflected Laura Ryan, chair of the Board of Trustees at the organization, “and have been impressed with her acumen, intelligence and profound commitment to the success of girls in our community."
About Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas
Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas aims to inspire all girls to be Strong, Smart, and BoldSM. For more than 40 years, Girls Inc. has provided effective life skills and enrichment programs that empower girls to take daily charge of their lives. At four campuses, Girls Inc. offers learning and development opportunities for personal effectiveness, academics and career planning so that girls ages six to 18 are inspired to lead successful, independent and fulfilling lives. To learn more, visit www.girlsincdallas.org.