Tampa, UK, 31 July 2024 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the leading national youth mentoring organisation, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Dinesman, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Centene Corporation, to its Board of Directors.
Centene, a leading healthcare enterprise dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves, has been a long-standing partner of BBBSA. Dinesman, who oversees a range of areas including government relations, public policy, strategic partnerships, and the Centene Foundation, has been a vocal advocate for BBBSA's partnership with Centene. This partnership has led to the creation of local mentoring programmes focused on mental health and well-being for disadvantaged young people across the nation.
The organisations share a commitment to creating safe and healthy communities and have worked closely on initiatives aimed at expanding access to programmes, resources, and mentoring opportunities. These initiatives include the "Strong Youth Strong Communities" events with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the establishment of BBBSA services in Uvalde, Texas following the tragic school shooting in 2022.
"As we continue to expand our national board, we are delighted to welcome leaders like Jonathan Dinesman," said BBBSA National Board Chair, Michael Carrel. "His decades of experience and valuable perspectives will be instrumental in advancing access to mentorship for all young people."
Dinesman's career spans over 25 years in state and federal relations roles within both corporate and government settings. He started as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Arizona House of Representatives, where he played a key role in drafting and passing the state's most comprehensive health insurance reform package. Since 2008, he has been a driving force behind Centene's uniquely local approach to transforming community health, providing access to high-quality healthcare for one in 15 Americans.
"I am thrilled to join BBBSA, an organisation that shares Centene's commitment to fostering a brighter future for young people and their families, regardless of their circumstances," said Dinesman. "My own success is directly attributable to the profound impact a mentor had on my life. I am forever grateful for the guidance, support, and time he invested in me. It is an honour to contribute to serving our youth and young adults, empowering them to reach their full potential."
Artis Stevens, President and CEO of BBBSA, expressed her enthusiasm for Dinesman's appointment. "Our partners, such as Centene, create invaluable opportunities for young people, empowering them to live healthier lives. Jon has already made a significant contribution to our partnership, and I am excited to witness his continued impact in this expanded role on the BBBSA Board. I welcome his extraordinary passion for mentorship to our organisation and look forward to his expertise enriching our Board."
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organisation in the United States. Our mission is to create and support mentoring relationships that help all young people reach their full potential. BBBSA's evidence-based approach fosters positive outcomes from kindergarten into adulthood, enabling every young person we engage to dream bigger, build confidence, achieve higher education, succeed professionally, and cultivate lasting, fulfilling relationships. We have over 230 local affiliated agencies serving over 5,000 communities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit: www.bbbs.org.
