The Center for Public Policy Priorities is pleased to announce that two experienced leaders have joined our staff to help make Texas the best state for hard-working people and their families.
Nick Canedo is the new Director of Development. A native of San Antonio, Nick spent the last 11 years in New York City. Much of that time he was Manager of Major Gifts for the Rainforest Alliance, a large global non-profit, where he was responsible for raising more than $5 million annually and managing relationships with over 200 donors. He is excited to return to Texas for the opportunity to help CPPP.
Kelly Josh – another native Texan – is the new Director of Finance and Administration. Kelly has over 25 years of experience in finance, human resources, and information systems management, and also happens to be a policy expert and long-time social justice advocate – a perfect combination for CPPP.
“We are thrilled to have these two dynamic, experienced Texans join the CPPP family,” said CPPP Executive Director Ann Beeson. “Nick and Kelly are already drawing on their development and financial expertise to help CPPP build a Texas where everyone is healthy, well-educated and financially secure.”
Nick oversaw the major gifts program at Rainforest Alliance with a focus on individual giving, donor stewardship, and proposal development. Prior to joining the Rainforest Alliance, Nick was a donor relations associate at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, where he focused on endowed support and cultivation events. Nick is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and holds a J.D. from Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law.
Nick is preparing for CPPP’s annual Legacy Luncheon on October 4 in Austin honoring Senator Lloyd and B.A. Bentsen. Sponsorships are now available. Contact Legacy@CPPP.org.
“CPPP’s reputation is surpassed only by its impact,” said Canedo. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work closely with CPPP’s community of supporters, establish new partnerships, and ensure that all Texans have the chance to compete and succeed in life.”
Kelly spent 10 years as the Director of Finance and Administration with the Texas Defender Service. Prior to that, she worked in Central America for 12 years monitoring the construction of civilian police forces and efforts to reform national judicial systems. From 2000 to 2005 in Central America she was the Deputy Chief of Party for a USAID project focusing on democratic development, transparency in governance and civil society strengthening. Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs in 2012.
“The Center for Public Policy Priorities is a venerable, critically-important Texas institution,” said Josh. “The credibility, financial stability and potential for policy change all attracted me to CPPP.”
