Former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard to Join CARE

In the newly created position, Ms. Woolard will oversee the communications, marketing, fund raising, policy and advocacy functions at CARE, a leading international poverty-fighting agency with operations in nearly 70 countries. "We are delighted to welcome Cathy to CARE," said Helene D. Gayle, who joined CARE as president and CEO in April 2006.

"At this point in our history, we are witnessing a significant shift in how the humanitarian community responds to the challenges of ending entrenched poverty around the world. We know that success depends not just on meeting the basic needs of poor communities but also tackling the underlying root causes of poverty, so they have a sustained role in shaping their own futures. We believe Cathy's background, including her political and social activism, provides the exact skill set to help us advance our mission," Dr. Gayle added.

Cathy Woolard made history when she became the first woman to serve as president of the Atlanta City Council in 2002. She held a seat on the council representing District 6 from 1998 to 2002. Since December 1999, she has run a successful public affairs consulting firm. From 1989 to 1996, she worked for the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC in progressively responsible positions. Prior to that, she served in the US Peace Corps in Moen, Truk, Federated States of Micronesia.

Ms. Woolard holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia. She studied International Economic Development at the University of Denver on the Elizabeth Fackt Fellowship.

"Joining CARE allows me to fulfill a long-term ambition to turn my full energy toward international affairs, working on the seemingly intractable issue of global poverty. Like the people at CARE, I believe we can end extreme poverty in our lifetime. It takes elevating the awareness of people in our country about how much our lives are entwined with the lives of our neighbors abroad. If we empower women and other marginalized groups through education, access to capital, and quality health care, they will have the means to change their own lives," Ms. Woolard said. "I am inspired by the people at CARE and look forward to embracing the challenges ahead."