Blythe Thomas Named Chief Strategy Officer at 1,000 Days
Contact: Allyson Garner; allyson@thousanddays.org; 202.969.3366
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2019) — Today 1,000 Days named Blythe Thomas Chief Strategy Officer of the nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on making the well-being of women and children in the first 1,000 days a policy and funding priority.
In this role, Ms. Thomas will help grow the organization’s influence and shape the national dialogue with media, policymakers, partner organizations and parents. Executing the organization’s 2019-2021 strategic plan, Ms. Thomas will support fundraising, strategic planning, business development and a broad content strategy on issues related to food, nutrition, maternal, infant and young child health and development in the first 1,000 days.
“We are thrilled that Blythe is joining us to help lead the next phase of 1,000 Days’ growth. With her strong track record of success in the philanthropic and nonprofit worlds and her genuine passion for helping moms and babies thrive, Blythe will be integral to 1,000 Days achieving its ambitious advocacy agenda” said Lucy Sullivan, Executive Director of 1,000 Days.
Ms. Thomas is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at the Partnership for a Healthier America, a bipartisan nonprofit organization that works with the private sector to create better food and foster more movement for all American families. In this role, Ms. Thomas is responsible for the nonprofit’s brand management, media relations, digital and content strategy, celebrity engagement, signature events, development and marketing efforts. Blythe joined PHA in February 2016. She will begin her new role at 1,000 Days on July 8, 2019.
“Moms are some of the toughest humans on this planet, and when they are empowered, it positively effects everything around them. I am especially excited to join 1,000 Days, because it fights to build a strong foundation for mothers, children and their nations to thrive,” said Thomas.
Prior to PHA, Blythe was the Vice President of Communications for the Kansas Health Foundation. With an asset base of more than $500 million, the foundation distributes approximately $20 million in grants every year in support of its mission to improve the health of all Kansans.
Before the foundation, Blythe was the international director of marketing and public relations for The Nature Conservancy where she built global brand awareness through earned media strategies and partnerships; engaged celebrities and the entertainment industry to raise visibility and garner credibility; grew the pool of international Conservancy spokespeople; and led the PR efforts for the signature marketing campaigns.
For 10 years Blythe was at the American Red Cross National Headquarters, serving on the rapid response team following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. She spent half her time in communications and half in fundraising, where she worked as the chief of staff to the senior vice president of Growth and Integrated Development.
Blythe majored in Journalism and Broadcasting with a minor in Speech Communications, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science from Oklahoma State University. She resides in Arlington, VA, with her two sons.
About 1,000 Days
1,000 Days leads the fight to give mothers and babies in the U.S. and around the world the nutrition they need to thrive. We work with global leaders and grassroots communities of parents to make the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s 2nd birthday a window of opportunity to build healthier, brighter futures. For more information, please visit www.ThousandDays.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.