Nicole Willis-Grimes
Courtesy Photo
Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and State Director of Communities In Schools of Nevada (CMS), announced this month the appointment of Nicole Willis-Grimes to executive director for the organization’s Western Nevada affiliate.
Willis-Grimes, a longtime Reno resident, joins CIS after more than two decades of work the professional services sector. Most recently, she served as the director of public affairs for The Ferraro Group in Reno, where she worked for 15 years.
Professional highlights include work on the 2010 and 2020 Nevada Census statewide public awareness campaigns; serving as legislative affairs coordinator for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.; and advocating for various missions as a staff member, volunteer and board member for several local and international nonprofits, according to a CMS press release.
“I am thrilled to be named Western Nevada affiliate executive director and to be working with an organization that has such deep roots in the Reno-Sparks community,” Willis-Grimes said in a statement. “I’ve told my friends and family this position found me, not the other way around. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting key stakeholders and partners, and every meeting has confirmed what I knew before joining CIS – the ‘all in for kids’ spirit is strong, translating to evidence-based results that help more students cross the graduation finish line.
“It’s a true gift to find an occupation that embodies my passion – kids, education and helping those in need.”
As Western Nevada affiliate executive director, Willis-Grimes, who holds a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University, will oversee all aspects of the organization’s efforts in Washoe County, which serves 8,000 students in the Washoe County School District.
“Nicole is a tremendously respected public affairs professional whose years of board service to other nonprofits demonstrates she is a leader who can get things done and build good relationships,” Hance-Lehr said in a statement. “In just the two months she has been with us, she has displayed strategic vision and a people-first approach, two of the things we value most in our organization’s culture. Under her leadership, we look forward to reaching more students in need to close opportunity gaps and increase graduation rates.”
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