AUSTIN, TEXAS (Oct. 17, 2023) – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) announced that the Board of Directors has named Zenae Campbell as its next chief executive officer, effective Nov. 13, 2023. BGCAA conducted its search process with the assistance of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Talent Acquisition Team.
Zenae currently serves as the vice president, programs and club operations, for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, a role she has held for 10 years. During her time in this position, she contributed to exponential Club growth and helped to double BGC Houston’s footprint—an increase that saw nearly 400% the number of youth being served across the organization. The initiatives she has led during her tenure have included establishing new operating models, expanding teen services, and creating the first-ever BGCA NFL-sponsored teen club, and deepening the quality of programming as well as leading the organization through the pandemic.
Prior to her time at BGC Houston, Zenae served as district administrator for five years in the Sacramento City Unified School District, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and providing strategic oversight and management to student programming. Her resume also includes work for the Sacramento County Child Protective Services, the California/Nevada Community Action Partnership, and the Anti-Defamation League of Sacramento, where serving and strengthening communities was her primary focus and passion.
As Zenae prepares to assume her new role as BGCAA CEO, she says the position is both a privilege and an opportunity: “As a longtime champion of the Boys & Girls Club, I’m thrilled to expand my ability to serve staff, parents, students, and area Clubs to expand our impact throughout the Austin area. Empowering local youth to excel both in and out of the classroom yields innumerable benefits, and I look forward to finding new ways to continue to support Club kids and the greater Central Texas community in partnership with my fellow BGCAA staff, the board, and the many supporters of this movement.”
As BGCAA CEO, Zenae’s responsibilities will include leading the organization’s strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. The CEO also serves as the organization’s primary ambassador and lead communicator, working to grow and deepen BGCAA impact in the community by helping Austin youth build great futures. Zenae, in collaboration with her team, will also oversee the organization’s clubs. As CEO, she will report to BGCAA Board Chair Cate Prescott.
“Given Zenae’s incredible track record of leadership and impact with the BGCA movement in Houston as well as her countless professional experiences that have served and supported our nation’s youth, we feel incredibly fortunate to welcome her as our CEO here in Austin,” said Prescott. “Zenae excels at innovating ways to create momentum and further impact, and we’re looking forward to the ways her leadership will shape and enhance the important work we’re doing to support Club kids.”
Zenae earned her bachelor’s in political science from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She also earned a certificate of leadership from Harvard Business School. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, Julius, and two children, spending weekends cheering from the sidelines of their softball and t-ball games. Zenae’s other loves include relaxing with family and friends, watching movies, laughing, and celebrating holidays.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) is Austin’s leading out-of-school time youth development agency, currently serving 2,893 registered members and engaging children ages 6 to 18 at 25 locations (and growing) in Travis and Bastrop Counties, including the Home Club on the Sheth Family Campus. Operating since 1967, BGCAA employs a formula for impact rooted in quality programming and services in academic success, character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Club youth participate in high-impact development programs that, when compared to non-Club youth, result in better school attendance, better grades, higher graduation rates and a better likelihood of attending college. Through support from local individuals, businesses and BGCAA Staff, Club youth are given the tools and opportunities to create great futures. Learn more at www.bgcaustin.org.
Media Contact:
Amanda Fier
Hiebing for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
480.748.7087, afier@hiebing.com