Meet Ann Patterson
IACS Executive Director
After four decades of service to IACS, former executive director Nancy Roncketti embarked on a much-deserved retirement. On May 1, 2022, she handed over the reins to our new executive director, Annie Patterson. Annie was selected by the IACS board of directors after an in-depth search and selection process, bringing a new perspective and expertise to the table.
Annie came to IACS with 30+ years of leadership experience, including 19 years in nonprofit management. She is well-practiced in small staff environments and adept at fulfilling the variety of roles often needed in nonprofits. She skillfully manages the big picture, but is also willing to go deep into the weeds when needed.
“I manage from a philosophy that to be successful, a team works together,” says Ann. “That means everyone, including upper management, pitches in where necessary to get the job done.”
She began her career in the late 1980s with the federal government and then moved to the private sector, focusing on all aspects of marketing and communications. In 2002, she moved to a nonprofit organization, expanding her expertise to include managing operations, nonprofit member recruitment and retention, communications, media relations, events and liaisons with C-suite executives at some of the largest U.S. institutions.
“Working for a small nonprofit means wearing multiple hats. This gave me a tremendous opportunity to learn and manage every aspect of the organization,” she explains, adding, “I also found the work to be very rewarding.”
Inspired to stay in the nonprofit arena, she became an executive director with a small consortium where she oversaw all facets of the organization, including short- and long-term strategic visioning and execution. In her most recent position as director of a food bank, she successfully dealt with the unique challenges of the pandemic’s impact on low-income and unhoused communities.
“I’m excited to play a role in the IACS legacy of leadership in student mental health care. Working with counseling centers that provide this life-changing support to students is especially meaningful to me as a parent who has seen first-hand the benefit and positive impact. I look forward to strengthening relationships with accredited centers and expanding outreach to higher academic institutions in the U.S. and around the world.”
Contact Annie Patterson, ann@iacsinc.org.
