Becky Davenport, Bloom President & CEO, is pleased to announce the appointment of Valerin Lopez DeFrank to the position of Chief Development Officer for Bloom Our Youth (Bloom) effective October 25, 2021. Ms. DeFrank has many years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations in fundraising and operations, most recently serving as Business Manager of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. Ms. DeFrank will spearhead all fundraising efforts and work with Ms. Davenport, the development team, and the Board of Directors to structure fundraising strategies to meet both annual fund and endowment goals. 

“We are pleased to welcome Valerin to the Bloom team.  She has worked extensively in community outreach and special events such as the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, American Red Cross, JCC Ventures, and the Arthritis Foundation,” comments Davenport.

Ms. DeFrank has devoted her professional career to impact civil society, building relationships valuable to the organization’s missions.  She takes pride in her ability to connect with and mobilize diverse groups.  Immigrating to the United States from a rural farming town in the Dominican Republic, Lopez graduated from Tufts University and the American University of Paris.  Previously, she served as the Business Manager for the World Affairs Council of Atlanta where she was responsible for managing and overseeing Council operations and administration as well as cultivating and retaining corporate and individual donors. She also served as the Regional Special Events Manager for the American Red Cross of the Northern California Coastal Region. “I am honored to join Becky and her team.  Bloom is a family-centered nonprofit organization that protects, supports, and empowers foster children and the families who care for them.  I look forward to forging new relationships to build Bloom’s visibility, impact, and financial resources,” comments DeFrank.