The National Partnership for Women & Families today announced that nonprofit and education veteran Betsy Pursell has joined the organization as its new chief development officer, responsible for leading fundraising efforts. The National Partnership is one of the nation’s most effective advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

Before coming to the National Partnership, Pursell spent five years with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), where she established its first office for foundation fundraising and broadened support from corporations and foundations whose funding is not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. Pursell was later named vice president for public education and outreach, where she had key roles in advancing highly successful initiatives including: Welcoming Schools, a diversity and anti-bullying initiative; the Religion and Faith Program, focused on promoting pro-equality clergy voices; and HRC’s first index to examine the experiences of LGBT patients in the nation’s health care facilities.

Pursell has also served as the executive director of the Empower Program, a national anti-bullying and youth development organization. Her background in educational leadership includes a decade as the upper school director at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland.

“Betsy Pursell brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the National Partnership,” said National Partnership president, Debra L. Ness. “We can take immense pride in four decades of accomplishments, but formidable challenges remain as we work to make every workplace fair and family friendly, and ensure that everyone in this country has access to high-quality, well-coordinated, affordable health care. I’m confident that Betsy will be invaluable in advancing our goals, and in forging even stronger relationships with funders and donors who share our vision.”

Pursell has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and political science from Colgate University and a master’s degree in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University.

Since its founding in 1971, the National Partnership has fought for every major policy advancement — from outlawing sexual harassment to prohibiting pregnancy discrimination to providing family and medical leave for millions of American workers — that has helped women and families.