Today, National 4-H Council has announced Artis Stevens as its new senior vice president, Marketing and Brand. In this role, Stevens will lead the organization's efforts to strengthen and elevate the existing 4-H brand and will oversee marketing for all revenue generating units, including National 4-H Youth Conference Center and E-commerce. Stevens will also collaborate with resource development and cause marketing units to lead a national brand awareness campaign that shows the relevance and impact of today's 4-H, which is the largest youth development organization in the nation.

Stevens brings 19 years of strategic marketing experience at the grassroots and national levels, most recently as national vice president, Marketing, Strategy & Operations at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Stevens helped spearhead BGCA's new tagline and largest brand awareness campaign launch to date—Great Futures Start Here. He also led the marketing strategy to increase BGCA's brand recognition, which generated $15 million in cause and marketing related revenue. 

"I have a vested, lifelong passion for positive youth development, so it is an honor and a natural fit to join an organization that has such a rich legacy of empowering youth for more than a century," said Stevens. "I am also enthused by the challenge of engaging a dynamic leadership team to take the 4-H brand to the next level and demonstrate its remarkable impact to the nation."

A proven visionary leader and strategist, Stevens has built more than 40 successful marketing campaigns throughout his career, including five award-winning campaigns. His expertise in marketing strategy, partnership and celebrity engagement, board management and team-building has positioned him as a sought after thought leader in the nonprofit marketing industry.

"We are thrilled to welcome Artis as an important senior leader to pave the way for the future of the 4-H brand," said Christina Alford, executive vice president, External Relations, National 4-H Council. "It is an extremely exciting time for National 4-H Council and Artis will play a critical role in demonstrating the depth and breadth of today's 4-H, which is changing lives in urban, suburban and rural communities all over the nation."

Stevens is the first African American to hold the position of senior vice president, Marketing and Brand at National 4-H Council. In his role, he plans to build and develop a world class marketing team. He will also collaborate with members of the executive and senior leadership teams to define 4-H's unique role in the youth development space.

Stevens earned his Master of Public Administration degree in marketing from Valdosta State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and communications from the University of Georgia.