FCI Announces New CEO: Jade Woodard

Dear Family Connects partners, 

On behalf of the board of directors, we are pleased to announce that Jade Woodard will become the next president and CEO of Family Connects International (FCI).  

Jade is a visionary leader for maternal and child health with a passion for serving families. She also has a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully implement the evidence-based Family Connects model, serving the unique needs of all families in communities across her home state of Colorado. We are thrilled that she will bring her formidable skill set and perspective to serve the community partners implementing Family Connects across the United States.  

Jade comes to FCI from Illuminate Colorado, where she has served as executive director since 2016. She brings years of experience leading organizational growth, partnering with government and community entities, scaling evidence-based programs, demonstrating impact, and ensuring that the voices of impacted families are at the table. 

“Families are unique and beautiful. The support and resources they need must be accessible, responsive, and meaningful to their individual context, culture, and circumstances. I am honored to have the opportunity to promote that standard of care for families across the nation as the next president and CEO of Family Connects International.”  – Jade Woodard 

With a deep passion for child development and maternal well-being, Jade brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, having trained in social work and public administration. She will begin her new role at FCI on April 21, 2025.  Please join the FCI board and staff in welcoming her!   

The board wishes to share its sincere thanks to the FCI staff, who have played such an important role throughout the leadership transition, and to Fawn Pattison, who served as interim CEO since June 2024. FCI’s search committee worked with Staci Barfield of Armstrong McGuire to conduct the nationwide search.  

FCI will invite partners to meet Jade Woodard at upcoming in-person and virtual events. 

Sincerely, 

Jonathan Kotch, MD, MPH 
Chair, Board of Directors