Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits Executive Director for City Year
February 4, 2026 – Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bill Thompson will serve as its next senior vice president and executive director of City Year. “We are thrilled to welcome Bill to City Year Los Angeles,” said Glenn Gritzner, board chair and member of the executive director search committee. “From his earliest conversations with us, Bill demonstrated a deep understanding of our mission and an inspiring vision for the future. His passion for young people, his record of transformational leadership, and his strong relationships across L.A. make him the right leader for this moment.”
City Year partnered with Shelli Herman and Associates on the search, evaluating more
than 215 prospective candidates from 159 institutions. The search committee was impressed by Mr. Thompson’s collaborative leadership style, his track record of building diverse partnerships across education, entertainment, and philanthropy, and his commitment to equity, student opportunity, and community-centered work.
“Bill brings a tremendous depth of experience and a powerful commitment to youth development,” said Tracy Schwartz-Ward, board member and chair of the executive director search committee. “We are confident that his leadership will position City Year Los Angeles for even greater impact in the years ahead.”
“Bill is deeply committed to helping young people thrive, and he has built his career around empowering underserved communities to find and use their voices,” said Joel Arquillos, executive director of The Snap Foundation. “He’s a proven leader of both staff and board teams, consistently driving missions forward while bringing out the best in everyone around him. I’ve been fortunate to partner with Bill on multiple initiatives, and every time I’ve felt genuinely supported—able to collaborate in a way grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose.”
Mr. Thompson previously serves as president and head of growth at Young Storytellers, where he also spent 15 years as executive director, leading the organization through significant expansion, increased sustainability, and national recognition.
“It is an honor to join City Year Los Angeles at such an important time for young people and for our city,” said Mr. Thompson. “City Year’s work is both essential and deeply inspiring—supporting students, developing future leaders, and strengthening our schools and communities. I am excited to partner with the extraordinary staff, AmeriCorps members, and supporters who make this mission possible.”
City Year helps students and schools succeed, while preparing the next generation of leaders. City Year AmeriCorps members provide support to students, classrooms and the whole school. Schools that partner with City Year are up to two to three times more likely to improve in English and math assessments, and the more time students spend with AmeriCorps members, the more they improve on skills that help students thrive in school and contribute to their community.
Shelli Herman and Associates Inc. serves trailblazing clients across the corporate, non-profit, and higher education sectors. The firm’s long roster of clients includes the Annenberg Foundation; the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation; BENlabs; The Capital Group Companies/American Funds Distributors; City Year, Los Angeles; the Fresno Chaffee Zoo; the Griffith Observatory Foundation; Jewish Family Service LA; Laguna College of Art and Design; Loyola Marymount University; Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium; P.S. ARTS; the Saint Louis Zoo; Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County; the University of California System; the Whitney Museum of American Art; and YWCA Greater Los Angeles.
Shelli Herman, who has more than 25 years of executive recruitment experience, has a strong record of leading searches and building upper management teams for a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies. She has completed senior-level assignments in many industries, including consumer products, healthcare, high technology, and finance, as well as for non-profit, conservation, and cultural organizations. Additionally, she brings an in-depth understanding of the unique cultural environment of academia that was gained while she held significant management positions at the University of Florida and Loyola Marymount University.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Search
Shelli Herman and Associates recently placed Megan Longo as the new senior vice president of guest experience, brand, and revenue of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. With a national search led by Shelli Herman and Associates, Ms. Longo emerged as the top choice, bringing expertise in customer-centric leadership, communications and strategic operations. “We are excited to have Megan as the architect behind a brand that our community equates with how we deliver on our mission of inspiring, educating and engaging people to have a better appreciation of animals and their habitats,” said Luis Padilla, president and CEO. “Join us in welcoming Megan as we embark on an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity.”
Ms. Longo has significantly contributed to marketing, brand, corporate communications and organizational effectiveness at her previous organizations. Her previous roles saw her driving growth and customer loyalty through innovation, emphasizing mindful engagement and memorable experiences at every touchpoint. Ms. Longo most recently served as chief of staff at Buildertrend.
Related: Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits President and CEO for the Santa Barbara Zoo
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
