FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SHAPE America Selects Stephanie A. Morris
as New Chief Executive Officer
RESTON, VA, September 5, 2017 —The Board of Directors of SHAPE America ‒ Society of Health and Physical Educators is pleased to announce the selection of Stephanie A. Morris as the organization's new chief executive officer effective October 2, 2017. Vetted Solutions, a Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm, managed the national search.
"Stephanie Morris brings to SHAPE America a strong belief in our vision of a nation where all children are prepared to lead healthy, physically active lives," says SHAPE America President Fran Cleland of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. "She conveys a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the organization, and is well-prepared to succeed in building alliances and working with members to translate their needs into products and services."
Morris brings nearly 20 years of diverse experience in marketing, communications and association management to SHAPE America. In her most recent role as deputy executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), she provided leadership and oversight for five major departments: marketing and membership;corporate strategic alliances;content strategy and development;conferences and meetings;and the customer care center. Supervising a staff of more than 35 full-time employees, she ensured a mission-focused, cost-effective operation through collaboration, supervision and sound fiscal management.
In addition to NAEYC, Morris has held executive positions with the American Council on Education, Widmeyer Communications, Venture Communications and the National Women's Business Council. She holds a master's degree in business administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland at College Park.
Morris is looking forward to this opportunity. "I am thrilled to join the SHAPE America team and to lead the organization as we strive to put all children on the path to health and physical literacy," says the new chief executive officer. "SHAPE America has long led that charge through their work in national standards that are the foundation for well-designed health and physical education programs, and through their commitment to 50 Million Strong by 2029."
"Health and physical education teachers can be life changers for our children," adds Morris. "That is why SHAPE America is committed to helping every school in the country provide effective health and physical education programs for their students and our nation's future."
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators is committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives. As the nation's largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals, SHAPE America works with its 50 state affiliates and national partners to support initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let's Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs.
Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our resources provide the leadership, professional development and advocacy that support health and physical educators at every level - from preschool to university graduate programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.