KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The executive director of the Raise Your Hand For Kids announced Tuesday her decision to to step down from the position.
Erin Brower, who has served as the head of the nonprofit organization for the past two years, said she will continue to serve as the group’s treasurer accompanied by a transition to the board of directors. Her new professional position, however, will be as the state and local government affairs manager for Hallmark.
“I grew up with Hallmark in my backyard,” the Kansas City native said about the Kansas City-based company. “Everyone you talk to can’t say good things enough about the company, they treat their employees very well and they’re so well respected.
“Hallmark has always been the pillar of the community. Moving from the nonprofit to the corporate world, Hallmark is ideal to move because… they are very civically engaged. They really care about Kansas City and Missouri, so they want to make sure Kansas City grows and thrives.”
Brower will act as a liaison between Hallmark’s corporate offices and the Missouri and Kansas state governments in Jefferson City and Topeka. This new position will allow her to continue her work on behalf of Raise Your Hands For Kids. Linda Rallo, the principal of Pick Strategies, will transition from a communications and policy position to act as the interim executive director.
Raise Your Hands For Kids, sometimes abbreviated as RYH4K, will gather signatures on an initiative petition in the coming months advocating a 50-cent state tax to tobacco products to fund early childhood development and programs that urge smoking mothers to quit smoking.
“I’m very passionate about advocating for children, working for Hallmark I think could give me a stronger voice,” she said. “They allowed me to civically stay engaged with what I’m passionate about.”
“I want to thank Erin for all of her services to the Alliance,” said Tyler Nottberg, CEO of U.S. Engineering and board chairman of the Alliance for Childhood Education. “We wish her the best in her new position. We are thankful Erin will remain involved with our RYH4K initiative to increase funding for early childhood development via a moderate increase to Missouri’s lowest-in-the-nation tobacco tax.”