YFU USA WELCOMES CHARLES CADIGAN AS NEW
VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Leader to oversee fundraising, communications and alumni efforts for leading exchange organization

Washington, DC (January 6, 2015) — Youth For Understanding USA (YFU) has selected Charles Cadigan, an experienced fundraiser and marketing executive, to fill the newly created role of Vice President of External Affairs. Following an extensive international search, Cadigan was selected from more than 200 candidates to lead YFU’s Marketing/Communications, Development, and Alumni Engagement efforts.

Cadigan joins YFU with more than 30 years of professional experience, having most recently served as Director of Corporate Sponsorship for the Global Exploration Fund at the National Geographic Society. Prior to this, he has served as a fundraising consultant to top nonprofits – such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Red Cross, Heifer, March of Dimes and many more. He served in various roles in for-profit enterprises on data management and strategy. For 16 years, he served as the head of marketing and sales nonprofit fundraising agencies, raising millions of dollars for clients.

Cadigan completes a management overhaul implemented by Michael E. Hill, YFU’s President & Chief Executive Officer, who was appointed in June 2013 with a mandate to reposition the leading intercultural exchange organization for the coming decades.

“Charlie brings tremendous leadership skills to YFU at an important time in our organization’s history,” Hill said. “From his entrepreneurial spirit that helped National Geographic forge an important new initiative to his decades of experience in helping nonprofits sharpen their messages to reach important investors, donors and stakeholders, Charlie understands that nonprofits succeed only when those they serve feel an ongoing part of the mission and a key part of an organization’s future. YFU is lucky to bring his leadership to an existing, dynamic external affairs team to strengthen the organization’s future.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Michael Hill and the senior leadership team at YFU. The YFU exchange experience is a critically important element for today’s youth so they are well prepared to solve our world’s most pressing problems,” Cadigan said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to re-position YFU for growth.”

Cadigan began his new duties on Monday, January 5, 2015.