John Bouman Named President of the Shriver Center


National Antipoverty Organization Reorganizes in “Era of Renewed Promise”


(Chicago)—John Bouman has been named president of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, an organization established in 1967 to champion law and policy for low-income people. Bouman now spearheads a reorganization initiated in 2006 by then executive director Rita McLennon. Bouman became president on January 1.

Speaking about the Shriver Center’s reorganization, Bouman said, “This is an exciting time both in our organizational and in our national history.” He continued, “We are in an era of renewed promise for policy changes that increase economic security and upward mobility for all. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to lead the Shriver Center as we advocate real progress to end poverty in the United States.”

Bouman joined the Shriver Center in May 1996 after 21 years at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, where he supervised public benefits advocacy from 1985. The Shriver Center’s director of advocacy since 1996, he is recognized as one of the most effective and thoughtful antipoverty advocates in the country.

“With John Bouman’s leadership and advocacy expertise, we can be even more aggressive in setting a national agenda to end poverty,” said McLennon. “I thought it was time to change our structure so that we can be better positioned for the public policy opportunities ahead.”

As vice president of external affairs in the reorganized Shriver Center, McLennon will build the organization’s resources. The Shriver Center will hire a vice president of operations to oversee office management and human resources. This addition to the administrative staff will ensure that Bouman can focus his talents on the Shriver Center’s advocacy agenda while McLennon is devoted to revenue-generating activities.

“The Shriver Center is poised to do even more to fight poverty in the coming years. The board of directors is confident that with the continued leadership of both John Bouman and Rita McLennon during these promising times, we will see even greater success,” said Sunny Fischer, the Shriver Center’s board chairwoman.  

John Bouman and Sunny Fischer are available for comment. For scheduling information, please contact Rikeesha Cannon at 312.368.2677 or 217.671.1970.

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The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, a national resource, champions law and policy promoting equal opportunity and support for low-income individuals, families, and communities so that they can escape poverty permanently.