Stephanie Summers Named CEO of Center for Public Justice; Gideon Strauss Appointed Senior Fellow

July 26, 2011

“Acting on a recommendation from our executive staff, the trustees of the Center for Public Justice announce with pleasure the appointment of Stephanie Summers as the Center’s Chief Executive Officer,” said Gail Jansen, chair of the Center’s board of trustees. Summers joined the Center as its Chief Operating Officer in late 2009 and made important steps to advance the organization’s mission while in that role.

Prior to her service with the Center, Summers had a 12-year tenure with the CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach), holding several positions, including Vice President for Organizational Development. In this capacity, she directed organization-wide strategic improvement and change initiatives. She also led the CCO’s expansion to the Washington, D.C., area. Through these and other roles, Summers developed extensive experience in managing nonprofits, building strategic partnerships, and working with volunteers to grow organizational capacity and impact.

Summers accepted the appointment with enthusiasm and said, “I see myself as a steward of a legacy of political philosophy and principled practice. I hope to focus on how the Center for Public Justice can best serve citizens seeking to fulfill their God-given responsibility to help shape the political community to conform to the demands of justice.”

In conjunction with Summers’ appointment, the Center’s board of trustees also appointed Dr. Gideon Strauss as Senior Fellow, effective July 1, 2011. Dr. Strauss served as CEO of the Center from Oct. 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011. “During his tenure as CEO, Dr. Strauss effectively communicated the Center’s vision and mission through both traditional and social media, thereby engaging hundreds of younger evangelicals,” said Jansen. “We anticipate the continued growth of these connections as Dr. Strauss uses his gifts to speak, teach, and write on the biblical theme of justice, and to work on strategic leadership development.”

Additionally, the Center announces the appointment of Michelle Crotwell Kirtley as editor of Capital Commentary, the Center’s weekly current-affairs publication. Kirtley served as the journal’s associate editor during its 2010 expansion. She previously worked for six years on Capitol Hill as a science and health policy advisor.

The Center for Public Justice is an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to public policy research, leadership development, and civic education. Working outside the familiar categories of right and left, conservative and liberal, the Center seeks to help citizens and public officeholders respond to the call to pursue justice for all.
 

Contact: Gail F. Jansen, chair, board of trustees
Email: gail@gailjansen.com