The American Federation for Children is pleased to announce the elevation of several staff members into new roles, as well as the addition of a new team member who joins AFC after years of advocating for school choice.
Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:
“At AFC, we have tirelessly built a world-class operation that generates massive results for families and students across the country. We are facing pivotal battles for the future of education freedom. Millions of families are counting on us to be successful. And ultimately, our gifted and relentless team members are driving our victories for those families each day. We are proud to promote Bruce, Nathan, Hera, and Natalie, and are thrilled to welcome Marc to the team.”
Read more about our New Hire and Promotions:
Marc LeBlond is joining AFC’s Government Affairs team as Director of State Advocacy. Marc will help oversee AFC’s state work and lead efforts to streamline AFC’s policy, advocacy, and grassroots work in order to maximize team effectiveness. Most recently working with our friends at EdChoice, Marc previously spent time in the financial services industry before moving to Pennsylvania to work in school choice policy for the Commonwealth Foundation.
Bruce Hermie is being promoted to Senior Fellow. Bruce will work nationally with school personnel and families to support the establishment, expansion, and defense of school choice programs. He founded and directs AFC’s School Leader Fellowship, which provides training to school leaders to help them advocate on behalf of their students and families. In his new role, he will continue to help lead AFC’s critical work to ensure every family, especially lower-income families, can access and thrive in school choice programs.
Nathan Cunneen is being promoted to Director of Strategic Analysis. In this new leadership role, Nathan will work closely with the CEO and Executive team to push AFC closer to our strategic goals. Nathan is a school choice beneficiary from Florida who was a member of the 2020 Future Leaders Fellowship cohort and continues to grow as a leader in the school choice policy and advocacy space.
Hera Varmah is being promoted to External Relations Associate. Hera will represent AFC at public events, engaging with supporters and managing media interactions while providing support for state-level initiatives. Hera is a school choice beneficiary from Florida and was a member of the 2020 Future Leaders Fellowship cohort. A compelling leader, Hera has honed professional skills and quickly become a prominent voice in the movement since joining AFC full-time in 2022.
Natalie Bell is taking on a newly created role as AFC’s Strategic Initiatives Assistant. As a critical part of AFC’s growing team, Natalie will assist with AFC’s strategic initiatives, including Black Minds Matter, Federación Americana Para Los Niños, and the Future Leaders Fellowship.
