Director of Leadership Welcomed

CPA is delighted to welcome a vital addition to our staff. Jen Ray recently joined CPA as Director of Leadership and the Women and the Economy Program. In that position, Ray will oversee the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Institute, the Flemming Fellows Leadership Institute, and the Women and the Economy Program.

Ray brings an extensive background in management, grassroots organizing, coalition building, advocacy and lobbying with her to CPA. Working in her home state of Idaho over the last 10 years, she was a recognizable face, and force, at the Idaho Statehouse as well as a vocal advocate in the community for progressive issues. Ray was most recently the Executive Director of the Idaho Women’s Network and the Idaho Women’s Network Research & Education Fund. There she directed numerous successful state legislative lobbying efforts on social policy impacting women and families, including: reproductive health and rights, minimum wage, domestic violence, welfare rights, child care, tax fairness, and human rights.

A veteran in leadership development, Ray has developed leadership training programs and organizing strategies to encourage the electoral and civic participation of women. A natural leader in developing effective partnerships with allied organizations, Ray will bolster CPA’s reach across the states tremendously.

"I am extremely pleased to be joining CPA. This is a time when state leadership is more critical than ever. CPA’s cutting-edge leadership development programs prepare state leaders to address tough challenges with values-based solutions to ultimately provide a more inclusive, fair and civil society," said Ray.

Ray has been a Board Member and Treasurer of the Western States Center since 1998. She is a 1995 graduate of the College of Idaho. Jen Ray can be reached at (202) 956-5142 or [email protected].