Digital Promise Welcomes Deputy Chief, People & Culture

We are thrilled to share that our client, Digital Promise, welcomed Hilary Stathes as their next Deputy Chief of People & Culture. Working closely with senior leadership, Hilary directs the organization’s human resources operations, including talent acquisition, performance management, training and development, compensation, and succession planning. 

“Our mission to expand opportunity for every learner is achieved through the efforts of our talented and hardworking team,” said Kathryn Petrillo-Smith, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Hilary has the experience and insight needed to steer policies and programs that strengthen the values-led organizational culture we prioritize at Digital Promise.” 

As Deputy Chief, Hilary leads the People & Culture team, responsible for a comprehensive strategy for Digital Promise’s 200+ employees. Among her first responsibilities is rolling out the organization’s Shared Humanity Framework, embracing a team approach to fostering empathy, inspiring collaboration, and igniting collective power. 

“I’m thrilled by the opportunity to join Digital Promise in making a difference for students and educators at all levels,” said Hilary. “I started my own career in the classroom, teaching Spanish to middle school students in Baton Rouge. Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by what great teachers can accomplish with their students. It’s a dream to support the future of education through the talented team at Digital Promise.”

Before Digital Promise, Hilary served as Talent Development Partner at ActBlue, a fundraising technology platform, where she built inclusive systems for performance management and coached managers to lead with equity and clarity. With a background in education, she previously led teacher recruitment and training programs at The New Teacher Project, including Teach Baton Rouge, Baltimore City Teaching Residency, and DC Teaching Fellows. She later held senior talent roles at DC-area charter schools DC Prep and Ingenuity Prep and at the national poverty alleviation organization LIFT, Inc. She earned an M.Ed. from Harvard University and a B.A. in History and Spanish from Amherst College.

She advanced through an extensive national search led in partnership with Good Insight, an award-winning, Washington, DC-based executive search firm with an exclusive focus on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. She began her new role this summer.