Jill Bramble, a National 4-H Council executive and alumna, has been selected as the new president and CEO of the youth organization. She replaces Jennifer Sirangelo, who has served in those roles for the past decade.
“This is a bittersweet moment for me,” Sirangelo said. “It has truly been an honor to serve alongside National 4-H Council Associates and thousands of Cooperative Extension 4-H leaders and educators, preparing America’s young people to thrive through the life-changing impact of the 4-H program. I am so proud of all that the 4-H Movement has accomplished in creating opportunity for all young people.”
With the mission of expanding opportunities for all of America’s youth through 4-H programming, it’s integral that the National 4-H Council has a strong leadership team at the forefront of the youth development charge.
Bramble is a fourth-generation 4-H alumna whose roots run deep in agriculture. Her family’s dairy farm allowed her to witness her grandfather’s hard work and generosity.
“He was an idol in my life: a hard worker who was very generous; he gave back to our community,” Bramble told AGDAILY in an interview. “I think all of the values I learned from him supported the ones I learned in 4-H. I hope to carry that forward.”
Bramble has served as executive vice president and chief growth officer with 4-H prior to being chosen for the top job. She received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Maryland. She lives in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Not surprisingly, Bramble’s beginnings in 4-H centered around dairy. But as she rose through the ranks of the National 4-H Council, she started as a grant writer and now transitions to the top leadership position.
“I am honored to step into the role of National 4-H Council’s President and CEO,” Bramble said. “I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of 4-H programs. As the leader of National 4-H Council, I will spend every single day ensuring all kids have access to the powerful, life-changing outcomes that I experienced in my own childhood. I have endless faith in the leadership of the next generation if we give them the tools they need to be successful. My role will be to empower Cooperative Extension 4-H educators to help America’s youth reach their full potential.”
So, where is the National 4-H Council headed?
After the COVID-19 pandemic, 4-H was not immune to organizational shifts. The National 4-H Youth Conference Center was sold, and a new office in downtown Washington, D.C., is in the process of being opened.
“We hope the new building will be accessible for all of Extension, 4-H members, and alumni and provide a home base for the 4-H Council,” Bramble said.
And while the move was a big one, Bramble hopes it may mean that national 4-H programs may be more mobile in the future: “We are looking at what it might look like if Citizenship Washington Focus were moved around to make it more accessible to the West Coast.”
With a new office in the works, and Bramble’s position as the president and CEO, she hopes to continue to charge forward with four, key priorities:
- Positive youth development capital
“There needs to be more investment in young people in this country to help young people build hard skills and find their spark, whether it’s computer science, ag science, coding, or something else,” said Bramble. “All the while, these programs allow young people to build on soft skills that are in such high demand: leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, resilience, community service, and connection.” - Digital transformation
It’s no secret that the youth of today are leading a digital existence. Their world isn’t confined to the county or state where they grow up anymore. “We need the 4-H program to adapt to their digital world,” Bramble said. “It doesn’t mean replacing in-person programming. I think we have the perfect opportunity to combine Extension’s footprint.” - Workforce readiness
Extension’s 4-H programs operate out of 110 land grant universities, but Bramble hopes to focus more heavily on workforce readiness.
“Ten years ago, the nation called for more young people to go into STEM fields. 4-H stepped up, answered, and delivered on big, national initiatives in that area. We need to do the same for workforce readiness,” Bramble said. “I’m looking forward to Council being a catalyst for what Extension wants to do, which is build a unified, national workforce readiness initiative. I think we owe that to our country.” - Supporting Extension and the future of 4-H
Extension program workforces have been under incredible pressure in recent years. “From COVID-19 to remote programs, to social unrest, so many issues have been on the front lines alongside of our kids, and a growing mental health crisis,” said Bramble. “I look forward to helping support Extension as they navigate these issues alongside other industries that are undergoing similar transitions.”
