Tyronn Lue’s community initiative project, C2C, has announced hiring an executive director according to a release from the Tyronn Lue Fund, Ballmer Group and Partners for Rural Impact.

Kerri Ferrari has been named executive director of the C2C whose offices are located in Mexico.

Tyronn Lue, a three-time NBA champion and Mexico native, said “We are very fortunate to have Kerri to lead the C2C initiative in Mexico. She has an exceptional track record of working to advance outcomes for youth and working with all stakeholders to make change. Our C2C team is ready to dig in and create opportunities and advancements for all those in Mexico.”

The release says, “C2C’s initiative is committed to improving cradle to career outcomes in the community and builds on Lue’s ongoing philanthropic efforts in Mexico. The five-year commitment will bring a multi-million-dollar commitment to support ongoing efforts to accelerate educational achievement and community development.”

“I am honored to have been chosen as the executive director for the C2C initiative and grateful to PRI and Coach Lue,” Ferrari said in a released statement. “I have lived and worked in Mexico my entire life, love our community and have dedicated my entire career to working with children and families.”

Ferrari has 20 years of experience helping young people, most recently in the Office of Child Advocate where she worked with state leaders to improve outcomes for children and families and advocated for the safety and protection of children in Missouri. She previously served as director of alternative education with Mexico Public Schools and spent more than 10 years advancing in juvenile officer positions with Missouri’s 12th Judicial Circuit. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, board president of the Angel Wings Clothing Closet, and a member of the Mexico Sustainability Project.

She holds a dual masters in school counseling and licensed professional counseling from Stephens College, as well as an undergraduate degree in social work from Central Missouri State University.

“I am eager to see the C2C program provide opportunities for young people to succeed in Mexico,” Ferrari said. “I look forward to collaborating with community members and engaging key stakeholders to create sustainable impact in the lives of Mexico residents.”

More hirings are expected to be announced sometime in the future according to Lue’s comments to the Ledger last month.

Ferrari encourages anyone interested in partnering or learning more about the initiative to reach out to her at kerri.ferrari@partnersrural.org.