Comings & Goings

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at comingsandgoings@washblade.com. 

Congratulations to David Park on becoming president of Learning Heroes, an organization that according to its website “partners with states, districts, and organizations to engage families as a strategy for advancing school and student success goals. Working closely with national and local partners, we lift up experiences of families and educators in communities throughout the country to catalyze the scale of research-based practices nationally.”

Park is a firm believer in the power of community to support a child’s learning and development. A proud public school alum, he is passionate about working with communities to prioritize education and opportunities for children and youth. For 10 years, he has played a pivotal role in Learning Heroes’ growth, with a specific focus on strategic partnerships and communications. Upon assuming the role of president, Park said, “Education happens everywhere – in schools, at home, and throughout the community. And yet too many children and youth, especially those from low-income families, don’t have that critical web of support they need to help discover and explore their passion and purpose. When families, schools, and communities come together on behalf of children, doors of opportunity open, allowing kids to succeed, thrive, and contribute to society. To me, there’s nothing more important.” 

In his continued work with Learning Heroes, Park will focus on organizational impact, overseeing operations, programming, and strategic direction. He has helped develop and lead Learning Heroes’ major public awareness and collective action initiatives, including the Go Beyond Grades campaign, which has reached 30 million people nationwide, and the Collective Action Coalition for Families. 

Prior to joining Learning Heroes, Park served as Vice President of Mission Advancement for America’s Promise Alliance, where he launched the GradNation campaign, which drove historic gains in high school graduation rates. He also held senior roles at global communications firms, including Ogilvy Public Relations, and Porter Novelli. He taught communications at Georgetown University, and has been featured on MSNBC, in the Huffington Post, and quoted in many local dailies and education trade outlets. Throughout his career, Park has also worked closely with the LGBTQ+ community, including with GLSEN, PFLAG, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Matthew Shepard Foundation, and Whitman-Walker. 

Park earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from American University. He lives with his husband Clarence Pineda (a Realtor with Compass Real Estate) and their rescue dog Violet in D.C. and Rehoboth Beach, Del. 

The post Comings & Goings appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.