August 14, 2024 – Public Agenda, a research-to-action nonprofit dedicated to building a democracy that works for everyone, welcomes three distinguished leaders to our Board of Directors: Jim Beck, Lee Stevens Deitch, and Cheryl Whaley. They bring a wealth of expertise in corporate and non-profit leadership to enable us to achieve our mission, ensuring the public’s voice is heard in conversations that shape our shared future. 

“Public Agenda is in a period of change,” said Betty Sue Flowers, Chair of the Public Agenda Board of Directors.  “We are executing a new strategy to deepen our impact in support of a healthier democracy, which makes this an ideal time for us to bring on three talented and energetic leaders with deep experience and fresh ideas to advance our work. My Board colleagues and I could not be more pleased to welcome Jim, Lee, and Cheryl to Public Agenda.”

Below is a brief biography of each of Public Agenda’s new board members:

• Jim Beck: Jim Beck brings decades of experience as a former journalist and strategic communications executive. He retired earlier this year after a 17-year career with Alcoa, where he most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Communications.  Previously in his career, he was a newspaper reporter and editor. Beck currently is a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation and a former board member of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Southern Indiana.
• Lee Stevens Deitch: Lee Stevens Deitch served as the Head of Institutional Sales and Consultant Relations at T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, where she led a team of sales executives through 2023. Prior to working at T. Rowe Price, she worked at JPMorgan Chase & Co. for nearly three decades. From 2013 until 2020, she served on the Board of Trustees of Friends School of Baltimore. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Brown University.
• Cheryl Whaley: Cheryl Whaley is Managing Director & Partner at Paradox Strategies, bringing 25 years of experience as a senior executive, consultant, and board member. Previously, she held key roles at AIG, including Global Head of Direct Marketing and Chief Operating Officer of Science. She serves on the Board of Directors for InnovationForce and Equality League and is a former board member of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association, Campus Compact, the Jewish Community Project, Girl-Up, and New Georges. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College as a Durant Scholar and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.

Public Agenda is excited to welcome these three new Directors and their wealth of experience to its board. Their outstanding leadership will strengthen Public Agenda and aid in the organization’s mission of building a democracy that works for everyone.

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About Public Agenda

Public Agenda is a national research-to-action organization that digs deep into the key challenges facing our democracy to uncover insights and solutions. Founded in 1975 by the social scientist and public opinion research pioneer Dan Yankelovich and former secretary of state Cyrus Vance, we engage with advocates, journalists, policymakers, and the philanthropic community to ensure public voice is heard in conversations that shape our shared future.