Today the Executive Board of P21, the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, announced the appointment of David Ross as P21's new Chief Executive Officer. A unique partnership, P21, unites business, government, and education leaders around the goal of preparing all learners to succeed in an interconnected world.

Ross brings a remarkable set of skills that he has honed over the years as an educator, journalist, entrepreneur, and non-profit administrator to this position. Ross has been serving as P21's Chief Strategy Officer where he has led P21's efforts around the 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program and global education.

"We are thrilled to have David serve as P21's CEO. He is a visionary leader and master partnership builder," said David Young, Acting P21 Chair and CEO of VIF International Education. He added, "We were incredibly fortunate to have this talent on staff to help ensure a smooth transition of leadership."

Ross is succeeding Dr. Helen Soulé as P21's Chief Executive. Soulé is stepping down this month from her leadership position, but will continue serving P21 as a Senior Advisor. In this new role, Soulé will work closely with P21's State Partners and its network of 75 Exemplary Schools and Districts.

"P21's Executive Board appointed an incredible leader to take over the reigns of P21. David has made remarkable contributions to P21 and our work, and I know he is the right person to serve as the leader of the 21st Century Learning movement," said Soulé. "David has always embodied the attributes of a 21st Century teacher and learner," she added.

"I am deeply honored to serve as P21's fifth Chief Executive. I have always been a champion for the critical work of P21, so I am committed to carrying on the legacy of Helen and P21's past leadership," said Ross. "Countless schools, districts, and states have already fully embraced 21st century learning and the 4Cs and I truly look forward to working with them and P21's diverse coalition of members to ensure that this high-quality, authentic learning is accessible and available to all students in the US and abroad."

About P21: P21 recognizes that all learners need educational experiences in school and beyond, from cradle to career, to build knowledge and skills for success in a globally and digitally interconnected world.

P21 Members: American Camp Association, American Federation of Teachers, AT&T, Crayola, CreativeFuture, Destination Imagination, Education Networks of America, eLearning Solutions, Faber-Castell, First Five Years Fund, Fisher-Price, Ford Motor Company Fund, Future Problem Solving Program International, Goddard Systems Inc., Intel Corporation, Learning.com, LEGO Education, METEN, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Education Association, National Speech and Debate Association, PBS, Pearson, People to People International, Playworld, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, Qatar Foundation International, School Specialty, SKT Education Group, VIF International Education, and The Walt Disney Company.