CHICAGO—Prevent Child Abuse America is formally announcing the retirement of President & CEO James M. Hmurovich. For 10 years, staff and he have worked to deliver on evidence-based strategies to promote healthy child development, supportive services for parents, and the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Hmurovich’s last day has not been identified and will be aligned with the appointment of and transition to a successor, likely in the first quarter of 2016. A national search for his successor is underway, led by the National Board of Directors with the help of Phillips Oppenheim.
“Jim began his role as President & CEO at a time of significant change and transformation in the organization’s history,” said Fred Riley, Board Chair, Prevent Child Abuse America. “He brought a sense of urgency to achieving financial stability and revenue enhancement, while never compromising the organization’s focus on children and families. We are stronger and looking at an even brighter future thanks to Jim’s efforts and leadership.”
During his time at Prevent Child Abuse America, Jim was a member of a national office team that expanded the organization’s home visitation program, Healthy Families America, from 360 sites to over 600, increased the state chapter network from 41 to 50, introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign as a reminder that child abuse and neglect prevention is everyone’s responsibility, oversaw the creation of technical assistance services to the networks on bullying prevention and child sexual abuse prevention, and the development of a national movement, Connect the Dots, for children and families.
As a representative of the organization, he most currently is serving as the Chair of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Human Services Assembly, as well as the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Jim came to the position of President & CEO as a member of the organization’s national board. Prior to that, he enjoyed a decorated career in state government, serving as a former Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Correction, as well as the Indiana State Welfare Director, during which time Indiana was awarded seven federal high performance cash bonuses for successes in welfare reform and child welfare. Indiana also received national recognition as a leader in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and for the Healthy Families Program, during Jim’s memberships on those teams. He is also the recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash, which is the highest award that can be given to an Indiana citizen for leadership and accomplishment.
“I am honored to have been trusted with the leadership of such an honorable mission, a team of dedicated and committed staff, a knowledgeable and impressive Board of Directors and two outstanding networks of chapters and Healthy Families America sites respectively,” said Hmurovich. “But more than all of that, I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve the children and families of this great nation. Every child should have the right to experience a loving, caring and abuse free childhood. At Prevent Child Abuse America we not only believe that, we work every day to accomplish it.”
