The Village of Promise (VoP), a leading nonprofit organization in north Alabama, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cheri Wilson as its new Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). In her new role, Ms. Wilson will oversee all fundraising activities, marketing, and communications, and cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance VoP’s mission.
“We are delighted to have Cheri join our team. Her passion for the Village’s mission shines through and with her background in education and fundraising, we’re confident that she will positively engage our VoP supporters and the families we serve,” said VoP CEO Dana Gillis.
Ms. Wilson has previously served as a VoP board member and volunteer and is excited to formally begin her duties as a VoP officer. “As a long-time supporter of the Village of Promise, I am thrilled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve this wonderful organization,” she said. “VoP has been on the frontlines, doing amazing work with children and families in our community. I look forward to serving alongside our co-founder, Bobby Bradley, Dana Gillis, and our VoP Family to continue to strengthen and expand our mission.”
For 13 years, VoP has been addressing the needs of children and families in distressed high-poverty northwest Huntsville neighborhoods. Its mission “Empowers families to advance out of poverty using a multi-generational approach, promising support through a continuum of services, and inspiring them to achieve their goals and contribute to their community.”
Ms. Wilson, a graduate of Oakwood University and La Sierra University, has volunteered with numerous Huntsville-area organizations and served in various professional roles, including development officer for the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, executive director of university advancement at Oakwood University, area development director for Alabama/Mississippi for the United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF), and as an elementary general education teacher and special education resource specialist in private and public schools. Additionally, she has earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).