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The grassroots nonprofit organization ConnCAN, which champions equitable and empowering school policies across Connecticut, has joined the national network of local advocacy campaigns 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now.
“Thirteen years ago, ConnCAN opened its doors with the ambitious mission of shining a light on the performance of our state’s education system and securing bold policy reforms for kids,” said Jennifer Alexander, CEO of ConnCAN. “Strong local advocacy has powered our work, and today that advocacy will gain even more momentum by tapping 50CAN’s deep well of next-generation tools, expertise and lessons learned from dozens of campaigns across the country.”
50CAN’s mission is to advocate for a high-quality education for all kids, regardless of their address. The organization was founded in 2011 by ConnCAN’s former chief operating officer, Marc Porter Magee. Porter Magee will serve as interim executive director for ConnCAN beginning April 1, when Alexander steps down from the position that she’s held for four years.
“I’ve learned so much from Jen by watching how ConnCAN has flourished under her leadership,” Porter Magee said. “I’m excited and humbled to have the opportunity to work with ConnCAN as we embark on the next chapter of its journey.”
ConnCAN’s efforts will remain grassroots and local, with a Connecticut-based team that will draw support from the national 50CAN network, making its advocacy efforts for Connecticut kids even stronger.
“I’m extraordinarily proud of our coalition’s accomplishments in the past 13 years, and I’m extremely optimistic about the work ahead,” Alexander said. “Marc has been an integral part of the ConnCAN family since our work began, and I’m thrilled he is bringing his expertise to our work as ConnCAN’s interim executive director, stewarding our efforts through this leadership transition and heading up the search for ConnCAN’s next great leader.”