ICCR Hires New Deputy Director

Former Annie E. Casey Foundation Senior Associate Kermit "KC" Burton Joins Organization

NEW YORK CITY///December 30, 2008///The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), a coalition of nearly 300 faith-based institutional investors, announced today that Kermit "KC" Burton is the organization's new deputy director.

Burton will be responsible for developing both organizational sustainability initiatives and implementing a program to evaluate the impact of ICCR's work. He will report to ICCR's executive director and also is responsible for implementing the organization's institutional advancement efforts.

ICCR Executive Director Laura Berry said: "With his rich experience at the Annie E. Casey Foundation and his commitment to community building, KC Burton is ready to make significant contributions to ICCR from his first day on the job. With its recently adopted five-year strategic plan, ICCR is leading the effort to redefine the next generation of corporate responsibility. We are extremely fortunate to have KC joining the ICCR team in this critical position at this significant time in the organization's history. KC's entire career and deep faith gives him a strong foundation. We know this will make a significant contribution to the growth and change he will help guide and implement at ICCR."

KC Burton said: "I count it as a blessing and an honor to be joining ICCR. I look forward to participating with the strong board and capable staff of ICCR in capitalizing on this historically opportune moment for socially responsible investing. I am optimistic that my experiences in community-based philanthropy, including faith initiative philanthropy, can help corporations investors and social change organizations and communities affected by corporate reach to see sustainable value in collaborating through ICCR, and that my management experience will enhance ICCR's leadership status through new vision and rigor."

Prior to joining ICCR, Burton worked as a senior associate with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. His job responsibilities at Casey Foundation included directing a Baltimore initiative that supported and encouraged philanthropies to set aside larger investments to faith-based groups and non-profits assisting economically disadvantaged children and families. He also served for served seven months as interim CEO of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.

Burton's prior work experience includes stints in public relations and as a business owner. He worked as public affairs and corporate responsibility manager for the Baltimore Sun and served in community relations roles for the Baltimore City Mayor's Office and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Burton earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. in 1971, and studied towards a masters in urban planning and public policy at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. He was awarded an honorary PhD from Sojourner-Douglass College in Baltimore, MD in 2001.

Burton has served on more than 50 local community boards, committees and projects during three decades including, the House of Ruth, Advocates for Children and Youth, The Baltimore Radio Reading Network, the National Community Builders Network; the Family League of Baltimore City, the Maryland Center for Arts and Technology, and the Baltimore Mental Health Systems. He is recently active with the Maryland Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, the Vision Impact Council of the United Way of Central Md., the Md. Dept. of Education Visionary Panel for Better Schools, the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative, the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, H.E.A.L. Inc., Foundations Inc., Fusion Inc., Baltimore Times Community Services, and Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church USA.

Burton's philanthropy involvement includes the Sojourner-Douglass College Foundation board, the Association of Black Foundation Executives board (vice-president), the National Center for Black Philanthropy, the Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Funders Collaborative and the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers.  He is a native of Elizabeth City, NC and grew up in Baltimore, MD.

A high-resolution digital headshot of KC Burton is available upon request by contacting Patrick Mitchell (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com.

CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com.