AFC Welcomes Hera Varmah to Growth Fund Board, Announces Promotion

The American Federation for Children is pleased to welcome Hera Varmah as the newest member of the AFC Growth Fund Board of Directors. Hera is a school choice alumnus and AFC Future Leaders Fellow who was a member of the AFC team before her current role with our friends at Step Up For Students. Additionally, AFC is pleased to announce that Ryan Cantrell is being promoted to serve as our new Chief State Strategy Officer, where he will continue to oversee our critical work across the country to expand education opportunity.

Statement from Bill Oberndorf, Chairman, American Federation for Children:

“I am thrilled to welcome Hera Varmah to AFC’s Board of Directors. Hera is the first alumnus who benefited from a private school scholarship to ever serve on our Board. Since graduating from college, she has been an advocate for advancing the work of scholarship students at AFC and currently at Step Up For Students. Hera’s life experience and input will be greatly valued as we continue expanding school choice and implementing these programs across the country.”

Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:

“We are thrilled to welcome Hera to the AFC Growth Fund Board and to promote Ryan into this critically important role at AFC. Our world-class team continues to lead the movement, and both Hera and Ryan will provide invaluable experience, insights, and leadership as we take this work into the next generation. We are at the precipice of a golden age in American education, and I am confident that we are well-placed to ensure that all children have access to a stellar education.”

Hera Varmah is joining the AFC Growth Fund Board of Directors. Hera is Grassroots Engagement Manager at Step Up For Students, having previously served as External Relations Associate at AFC and as a member of the 2020 Future Leaders Fellowship cohort. A compelling leader, Hera has quickly become a prominent voice in the movement and a testament to the power of school choice.

Ryan Cantrell is being promoted to Chief State Strategy Officer. Currently serving as AFC’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Ryan brings years of experience both with AFC and in numerous political and governmental roles prior. He has led successful state work that has unlocked school choice for thousands of students across the country and will continue guiding this work in his new role.

About AFC:

The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and the most successful force for education freedom in America, passing over 200 laws across 31 states throughout our history. Our affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is the only nationwide Super PAC focused on advancing school choice.