As the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Ernestine Benedict oversees and guides all aspects of the ZERO TO THREE’s communications functions, including digital communications, media and public relations, brand management and promotion. She also leads the vision, strategy, and execution for ZERO TO THREE LEARN, a robust offering of early childhood professional development products and services, including the annual conference, trainings, bookstore and membership program.
Ms. Benedict brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications strategy across multiple industries, including nonprofit, government, arts and culture, and technology. Before joining ZERO TO THREE, Ms. Benedict served as the Chief Communications Officer for the Campaign For Grade-Level Reading, a national effort to boost children’s early literacy and early school success. Previously, Ms. Benedict served as Chief of Communications for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), the fastest improving school district in the United States. Prior to her role at DCPS, Ms. Benedict served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization, where she created and launched Leading to Reading, an award-winning, bilingual website supporting early literacy learning for young children.
Ms. Benedict began her career in the Silicon Valley, where she held product management and product marketing positions at AOL, Netscape Communications and Broadband Office. She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree in Finance from Temple University.
