FOR RELEASE
Jan. 20, 2015
Contact:
Andrew Brenner
202-884-7337
First Five Years Fund Names Charles Joughin as Communications Director
Nation’s leading early childhood advocacy organization picks experienced
public relations professional to lead communications efforts
WASHINGTON – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) today announced the appointment of public relations professional Charles Joughin as Communications Director. Joughin comes to FFYF after nearly five years helping to lead and execute communications strategy for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization.
Joughin brings his strategic communications and political experience to FFYF at a time when momentum for early learning has grown significantly, with bipartisan support for new investments in high-quality early childhood programs coming from every level of government and from broad coalitions of experts and advocates nationwide.
“Charles Joughin has incredible skills in generating thoughtful ideas and excels in conceptualizing, developing and executing plans that move social issues forward,” said Kris Perry, executive director of FFYF. “As we continue the momentum for investing in early childhood education, Charles’ experience with messaging and working with the media will be a true asset to our team.”
Most recently as press secretary for HRC, Joughin directed the organization’s marriage equality initiatives, working to understand and message the complexities of more than 70 court cases across the country and positioning HRC as a leader as the media centered on the Supreme Court resolving the issue nationwide. Joughin is experienced in every aspect of developing and implementing nationwide strategic media campaigns, from creating compelling narratives, to skillfully managing crisis communications. Before joining HRC, Joughin was a press assistant to Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
As Communications Director at FFYF, Joughin will oversee all communications efforts and lead messaging and media outreach around FFYF and its partners’ campaigns to Grow America Stronger and Invest in US, a challenge announced by President Barack Obama in December 2014 to business leaders, philanthropists, advocates, public officials and the public to build a better nation through high-quality early childhood programs for children from birth to age five.
Joughin, a native of Tampa, Florida, graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, where he studied Political Science and Spanish.
###
About the First Five Years Fund
The First Five Years Fund helps America achieve better results in education, health and economic productivity through investments in quality early childhood education programs for disadvantaged children. FFYF provides knowledge, data, and advocacy – persuading federal policymakers to make investments in the first five years of a child’s life that create greater returns for all. www.ffyf.org