CHRIS 180, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and healing Atlanta’s children, youth, and families, has named Rick Aranson, J.D. as its new Chief Operating Officer.  

With more than 20 years of experience in mission-driven leadership, Aranson brings a strong record of driving operational excellence and program development. His extensive background spans enterprise-wide administration, developing and scaling community-based programs, strategic planning and technology.  His expertise will drive impact and support CHRIS 180’s vision of building stronger families and resilient communities. 

“Rick’s impressive history in nonprofit leadership, his dedication to operational excellence, and his unwavering commitment to community impact make him a perfect fit for our team,” shared Cati Diamond Stone, J.D., President and CEO of CHRIS 180. “Having worked closely with Rick, I can personally attest that the combination of his expertise and heart for the mission will play an important role in our work to reach and support those in need of trauma-informed care.” 

Aranson joins CHRIS 180 following more than five years at Susan G. Komen^®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, where he served as Senior Director of Mission Operations. In this role, he managed all operational initiatives for Komen’s mission department, covering finance, legal, information technology, and business process improvement. Aranson also led multiple strategic planning efforts and was instrumental in developing Komen’s Patient Care Center, which provides integrated health-equity based community health services. 

Aranson previously served as the CEO of Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, where he applied business principles to enhance the organization’s impact and operational efficiency while more than doubling its operating budget. A recognized figure in the nonprofit sector, he developed an innovative program planning and evaluation methodology utilized across the United States, was featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Who’s Who in Nonprofits” and has contributed to the American Review of Public Administration. 

Aranson, an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta, has served on various local and national boards and acted as a grantee liaison for the United Way of Greater Atlanta. He holds a Juris Doctorate from The University of Miami School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Emory University.