Matthew Hildreth Named Executive Director of RuralOrganizing.org

Columbus, OH— RuralOrganizing.org announced today that Matthew Hildreth has been named executive director of the organization dedicated to rebuilding a rural America that is empowered, thriving, and equitable. Hildreth previously served as the board chair of the organization.

RuralOrganazing.org is hosting a Launch Party on November 11, 2019 in Sioux Center, Iowa featuring a concert with Che Apalache and The Ruralists. The public is invited to the event.

According to Nick Levendofsky, Board Chair of RuralOrganizing.org

"I am pleased to welcome Matt as RuralOrganizing.org's first Executive Director. Since the beginning of RuralOrganizingl.org , Matt has been instrumental in highlighting and advocating for rural citizens and issues from across America, and we look forward to continuing that good work with him in the future."

According to Matthew Hildreth, Executive Director of RuralOrganizing.org:

I’m really honored to step into this new role with RuralOrganizing.org. Last year when we launched our organization, I never would have imagined we’d accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. Our network has grown to over 150,000 advocates and nearly 1,000 civic leaders working locally and nationally to enact progressive policy reforms to rebuild rural America. Now it’s time to take our work to the next level and move from a volunteer-based team to fully staffed organization. As we enter the new phase of our work, we will remain committed to pursuing creativity, equity, and justice at all organizational levels and throughout all our programs. 

Hildreth  grew up on a small farm in eastern South Dakota and is a graduate of Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota where he studied Philosophy and Communications. He earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication from the University of Iowa and holds an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard University’s Leadership, Organizing and Action program.

For nearly a decade, Hildreth’s work focused on leveraging digital technologies to motivate key constituencies toward greater civic engagement on issues relating to migration and social cohesion. He served as the Digital Director, Political Director, and Director of New Initiatives at America’s Voice where he led a team dedicated to fighting white nationalism and white supremacy online, offline, and in politics.

Prior to his time at America’s Voice, Hildreth spent three years as the Interactive Media Producer for Sojourners — the largest network of progressive Christians in America — where he successfully developed innovative techniques for engaging online constituents.

The mission of RuralOrganizing.org  is to rebuild a rural America that is empowered, thriving, and equitable. Follow us on Twitter @RuralOrganizing.

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