NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jed Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of John A. MacPhee as the new executive director of the organization.

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MacPhee brings a wealth of experience in business, healthcare, and education-focused nonprofits to his new role with The Jed Foundation.  He most recently served as president of Strativa Pharmaceuticals overseeing several operating functions including clinical development, medical affairs, alliance management and business development. Previously, he held several positions at Forest Laboratories and was heavily involved with treatments for mental health conditions such as depression.

MacPhee is well-versed in the challenges faced by today's college students as a member of the board of directors for the Bottom Line, a nonprofit organization that provides guidance counseling services to low-income public high school students to help them get into college and graduate.  He is also a member of the board of directors of the Benebikira Sisters Foundation, an organization that supports the efforts of the Benebikira Sisters, an indigenous Catholic order of nuns in Rwanda, who work to improve the lives of war-affected individuals in Rwanda through education, health centers, and orphanages.

MacPhee replaces Courtney Knowles who has been with The Jed Foundation since 2006 and served as executive director of the organization for the last 4 years.  Knowles is leaving the position to relocate part-time to New Orleans and pursue new opportunities.  He will remain a consultant to The Jed Foundation through the end of the year.

"John's proven leadership, experience and enthusiasm for public health and the mission of The Jed Foundation make him a perfect choice for this position. We are thrilled to have him join us.,"  states Phil Satow, president of the board and founder of The Jed Foundation.  "We also thank Courtney for four years of excellent service and all the work he has done to raise the visibility of our work and the importance of supporting the emotional health of our students."

As the new executive director, MacPhee will be responsible for planning and execution of The Jed Foundation's goals and activities to support the mission of reducing emotional distress and preventing suicide among college students.

He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Columbia College and his master's in business administration from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Additionally, he is currently enrolled in the executive master's of public health program at Columbia University's Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health.

About The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation is the nation's leading organization working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students. Guided by leading experts, The Jed Foundation is changing the way students and parents think about mental health, paving the way for more young people to get the treatment they need, and helping colleges build safer, healthier campus communities.  Founded in 2000, the organization's key programs include:  ULifeline, an online resource where students from nearly 1,500 colleges can get campus-specific resources and take an anonymous emotional health screening; the Peabody Award-winning Half of Us campaign with mtvU which uses online, on-air and on campus elements to decrease stigma around mental illness and encourage help-seeking; a portfolio of nationally recognized tools, resources and training programs that help campuses effectively promote mental health and protect at-risk students.Learn more by visiting www.jedfoundation.org, www.halfofus.com or www.ulifeline.org.

PRESS CONTACT:  
John MacPhee, 212-647-7544
cell:  551-200-1532
jmacphee@jedfoundation.org

SOURCE The Jed Foundation