Dear Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Community,

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Board of Trustees Search Committee, with professional assistance from Koya Leadership Partners, has been seeking since March a President & CEO to lead this growing organization. They conducted an extensive search with more than 60 initial prospects from both the public and private sectors, including top executives from children’s hospitals as well as the fundraising arena. They also conducted months of thoughtful conversations and numerous in-depth interviews via Zoom and in person.

The Search Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees and with the full support of the Board, is excited to announce the unanimous selection of Teri Nestel as President & CEO. Teri had been serving as the organization’s Interim President & CEO since February and its Chief Administrative Officer.

“I am honored and proud to continue leading an organization in which I so strongly believe,” Teri said. “Particularly in this past year, we have proven we can change and adapt to meet the ever-growing needs of our member hospitals. Unrestricted funding for children’s hospitals has never been more important than in today’s environment. I am most excited to partner with a distinguished Board of Trustees, as well as hospital, corporate and program partners across our network to fulfill our mission.”

Teri stepped into the Interim President and CEO role during a challenging time. She led the organization through the sudden loss of past President & CEO John Lauck, obstacles of a global COVID-19 pandemic, an economic downturn and movements for social change. Under Teri’s leadership and stewardship, through these challenges, our organization remained strong and proved its capability by sustaining significant fundraising for children’s hospitals.

As interim president and CEO, Teri established a COVID-19 Impact Fund to meet the urgent needs of children’s hospitals during the pandemic and appointed the organization’s first Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ensuring its commitment to these values. She also introduced the charity’s new vision: Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future.

During her more than 30-year tenure, Teri led corporate and development fundraising initiatives, doubling revenue for children’s hospitals between 1994 and 2004. Most recently, Teri served as Chief Administrative Officer, leading strategic and annual planning, Information Services, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources and Legal and Compliance. She also developed the former Cure Kids Cancer brand and served as Chief Operating Officer of the former Children’s Miracle Network United Kingdom and Ireland.

To support the role Teri will be leaving as Chief Administrative Officer, Teri has appointed Clark Sweat to Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Clark, who had been serving as the organization’s Chief Experience Officer, has more than 26 years of experience building partnerships to support children’s charities, including 21 years with CMN Hospitals. Under his leadership, fundraising revenue over the past decade has grown to more than $400 million annually.

I want to extend a special thank you to the Search Committee members for remaining diligent and offering thoughtful perspectives throughout this process. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Board of Trustees for its unflinching support of this great organization and its network of strong corporate sponsors and the best children’s hospitals.

Please join me in congratulating Teri and Clark.

Best,

Nana Mensah

Chair, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Board of Trustees

Tags:

• CEO
• Teri Nestel