Friends of the Children – National has updated the membership of its national board of directors including the addition of new board members Nellie Biles, mother of Simone Biles; Dr. Mike Edmonds, Head of School Emeritus at The Colorado Springs School; and Cambia Health Solutions CMO Tracy Wiese. In addition to these new board members, Friends of the Children announced new board leadership with the elevation of DJ Wilson to chair, Erica Borden Baird to co-vice chair, and Amy Tykeson to secretary.

“We are so honored to have Nellie Biles, Dr. Mike Edmonds and Tracy Wiese join our board and are thrilled that DJ, Erica and Amy will continue to strengthen our work in these new leadership positions,” said Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children. “Nellie, and her daughter Simone, have been such tremendous champions for Friends of the Children to date and we know that the leadership Nellie, Mike and Tracy bring will be invaluable to our organization.”

The national board is focused on sustaining high-quality programming and keeping the organization’s 12+ year commitment to children at existing sites while also growing the unique mentoring model to benefit more children and families in communities large and small.

DJ Wilson, new chair of the national board of Friends of the Children, says, “Throughout my career in media, I’ve experienced the immense power of storytelling. Without a doubt, the stories of transformation happening in the lives of the children and families that are supported by Friends of the Children are undeniable. I’m excited to help Friends of the Children uplift and amplify the authentic voices of those we serve, and advance the goal that every child who needs a friend has one.”

Read the full press release here.