Media Contact: John Henry, JHenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, @johnhenrydc, 708-646-7679
Washington, DC—Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), a longtime national leader in youth advocacy, today announced two key appointments to its executive leadership team. The changes are designed to deepen the organization’s commitment to advancing the movement for child well-being by strengthening its work to engage and mobilize communities while offering even more impactful programs to children and young people nationwide during this pivotal moment in history.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham has joined CDF as Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in strategy, communications, public policy, and education to the organization. Her leadership background includes senior roles at Teach For America and BET Media Group. She also served on President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Task Force, the State of Missouri’s Ferguson Commission, and co-founded the public safety reform organization Campaign Zero. Cunningham previously served on the CDF Action Council, and most recently was named to the CDF Board of Directors in January 2025.
Sheri A. Brady will transition into the role of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at CDF, after previously serving as Vice President and Chief Program Officer. Throughout her four years with the organization, she has been instrumental in developing CDF’s first integrated theory of change and designing a comprehensive evaluation approach to strengthen the movement for child well-being. In her new role, Brady will manage matters of fiduciary responsibility and governance accountability for CDF. Sheri joined CDF as Vice President of Strategy & Program before transitioning to the role of Vice President and Chief Program Officer. She also previously served at the Aspen Institute and W.K. Kellogg Foundation prior to joining CDF. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
“To meet the challenges of this moment for America’ s children and families, we are building the strongest team possible,” noted Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, CDF’s President & CEO. “Brittany is a trusted and transformative leader whose commitment to young people and breadth of experience has spanned movements from classrooms to Congress. Her policy insight and narrative brilliance will shape critical partnerships and campaigns in the years ahead. Sheri has been my closest confidante and partner as CDF has grown over the last five years. Now we will benefit from her programmatic knowledge and innovative executive experience to ensure CDF has the agile infrastructure required to create the conditions for our children to sing and dance.”
Children’s Defense Fund Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brittany Packnett Cunningham:
“It is an honor to continue to build a more just future with my CDF family in this new capacity. The powerful legacy of CDF is one I hold with deep respect and care, and it is a true privilege to continue to build upon it for the sake of all our children. Now is always the time to stand beside our young people, because each them deserve to thrive.”
Children’s Defense Fund Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sheri A. Brady:
“It is inspiring to see the impact our team at Children’s Defense Fund makes every day to advance child well-being in America. Over the last year, we have made considerable progress toward our organization’s effort to make an even greater impact in the field of early childhood development. I cannot wait to help guide CDF in this new role and align its operations toward even greater efficiency.”
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About Children’s Defense Fund
Children’s Defense Fund builds community, so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Founded in 1973, Children’s Defense Fund envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice, CDF advances the well-being of America’s most diverse generation, the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25. CDF’s grassroots movements in marginalized communities build power for child-centered public policy, informed by racial equity and the lived experience of children and youth. Its renowned CDF Freedom Schools® program is conducted in nearly 100 cities across 30 states and territories. Learn more at www.childrensdefense.org.
