Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake (BBBSGC), Maryland’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported youth mentoring network, announced that Kera Ritter has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Ritter will work with the BBBSGC board of directors, staff leaders and volunteers to align the organization’s goals and programming with the evolving needs of Baltimore and the surrounding communities.

“With such a diverse professional background, Kera has brought a wealth of knowledge and perspective to every part of our organization,” Board Chairman David M. DiPietro said. “We are fortunate to have her at the forefront, lending her experience and passion for helping our Littles reach their fullest potential.”

Ms. Ritter joined BBBSGC as Chief of Staff in August 2015. Since that time, she has championed the expansion of partnerships with the corporate community to increase the number of Baltimore City children paired with professional mentors. She also has been overseeing the annual "Bowl for Kids' Sake " and "MentorZing: Big Night Out” events, which have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support mentoring programs.

“I have seen firsthand the measurable impact our matches have on the lives of children, and I am honored by the opportunity to support the legacy of Big Brothers Big Sisters in this role,” said Ms. Ritter. “I look forward to continuing to cultivate and shape this powerful mentoring community alongside the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Greater Chesapeake chapter.”

Prior to joining BBBSGC, Ms. Ritter spent 15 years in the journalism field at renowned outlets, including Bloomberg Bureau of National Affairs, The Boston Globe and The Philadelphia Inquirer, before serving most recently as a Foreign Affairs Officer for the U.S. Department of State. Ms. Ritter holds a Master of Science from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park. She is originally from New Jersey and currently resides in Baltimore.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake (BBBSGC), founded in 1952, is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the State of Maryland. The nonprofit agency serves more than 1,000 “Littles” a year in Baltimore City and throughout Maryland. BBBSGC helps children and youth reach their full potential by building safe and enduring mentoring relationships through best practices,

quality standards and professional support. www.biglittle.org.