Healthy LifeStars®, a nonprofit organization whose vision is to launch a generation of healthy kids through programs that teach and instill lifelong healthy habits, today announced the appointment of Aaron Nicholson as its Executive Director. Mr. Nicholson, who will report to the Healthy LifeStarsBoard of Directors, joins the nonprofit from his current role as National VP ofDevelopment for the CARES Mentoring Movement, headquartered in New York, NY.
In his new role, Mr. Nicholson will be responsible for strategy, programs, finance, marketing and fund-raising as Healthy LifeStars continues to expand from its existing reach, serving approximately 20,000 kids annually in 10states. Mr. Nicholson will lead staff located in in AZ, CO, IA and OH and oversee partnership programs with the University of Iowa and The Ohio StateUniversity.
“We are pleased and excited to have Aaron join our team and lead Healthy LifeStars into its next stage of growth as we expand to serve more kids in more regions of the country,” said Ruann Ernst, one of HealthyLifeStars’ founders and current Board Chair. “Aaron brings to bear a depth of experience in nonprofits, a passion for our mission – to motivate and educate kids, and their families, to live active, healthy lives, now and for the rest of their lives – and a spirit of collaboration and confidence to the next stage of our growth.”
Mr. Nicholson has dedicated more than two decades to nonprofit leadership, including experience and expertise in strategic growth planning, highly successful national and local fund-raising and event planning, partnership and policy development, grant administration, community and stakeholder engagement, operational leadership and financial management at organizations including, in addition to CARES Mentoring, Project Adventure, aMassachusetts -based nonprofit dedicated to experiential education, movement and play as a means to address mental health needs in young people. Mr.Nicholson also served as Youth Development Director for the Atlanta PoliceFoundation where he brought together multiple nonprofits to serve the varying needs of local youths. He holds an BS in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix, AZ.
“I am deeply committed to helping children lead active, healthy lives and share the Healthy LifeStars’ passion for addressing the pressing issue of childhood obesity and its related health problems,” saidAaron Nicholson. “From my own personal experience, it gives me great pleasure to help children recognize what it means to feel empowered to start being healthy early in their lives and, in turn, help change the lives and well-being of their families.”
Mr. Nicholson assumes his new position on March 25,2024