Katie Cobb Joins Great Hearts Academies as Senior Vice President of Advancement

PHOENIX, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Great Hearts Academies, the largest not-for-profit charter school network in Arizona, has announced Katie Cobb as the newest member of its leadership team. As Senior Vice President of Advancement, Ms. Cobb will oversee development, communications, public affairs, and marketing efforts for the network of 19 classical, liberal arts public charter schools. Her efforts will support Great Hearts' commitment to excellence and continued growth strategies. 

Cobb is a seasoned development executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning marketing, fundraising and politics. Prior to joining Great Hearts, she spent four years as chief operating officer of The Phoenix Symphony, spearheading a financial turnaround for the organization that increased overall revenue by 74% and more than doubled annual contributions. Cobb played a critical role in transforming a structural deficit into a multi-million-dollar surplus.

"Katie is an accomplished leader who brings an essential skill set to the Great Hearts team," said Jay Heiler, Board Chairman and Founder of Great Hearts Academies. "She is joining us during an important transition, as founding CEO Dr. Daniel Scoggin transitions into a national CEO role with Great Hearts America, and Erik Twist moves into our Great Hearts Arizona CEO role. This is a dynamic leadership team with the commitment and talent to move Great Hearts forward."

Cobb is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and served as Deputy Press Secretary for former Arizona Governor Fife Symington. She worked as a senior producer for America's Talking (MSNBC) and Fox News Channel and, after moving to Arizona, ran her own strategic communications and marketing political consulting firm.

'Katie has already enriched our organization through her leadership at the Phoenix Symphony and her contributions as a Veritas mom," said Twist. "She knows and loves our mission and her well-known professional abilities will be a major boost for Great Hearts."

"I am extremely excited about joining this highly accomplished leadership team and playing a pivotal role in helping Great Hearts in this next phase of growth as Arizona's premier charter school network," remarked Cobb.  "There is no greater calling than to shape our next generation of enlightened leaders and I am proud to be part of this effort."

Great Hearts has seen unprecedented success and growth over the past 10 years with new academies built each year across the Phoenix area. There are 9,300 students enrolled in Great Hearts schools across Arizona with more than 10,000 on waiting lists. In 2014 Great Hearts began its expansion into San Antonio and Dallas-Ft. Worth through a co-branded, not-for-profit organization, and has plans for future national growth.

ABOUT GREAT HEARTS:

Great Heart Academies distinguishes itself by graduating "Great Hearted" students with the capacity for meaningful leadership to succeed in today's culture and shape tomorrow's. Each graduate is instilled with a life-long commitment to the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

Network-wide, 100-percent of Great Hearts graduates attend a 2- or 4-year college and 84 percent of the Class of 2014 received merit-based scholarships totaling $30.35 million. The average SAT score at Great Hearts is 1820, which is more than 300 points above the national average. The average ACT score is 27.2, which exceeds the national average by more than six points. Learn more at www.greatheartsaz.org.

Media Contact:
Jessica Taylor
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(602) 300-8237

SOURCE Great Hearts Academies