Scripps Howard Foundation fills new director of development role

The Scripps Howard Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company, has hired Abi Evans as its director of development. 

In this newly created position, Evans will use her experience with the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her marketing focus with a leading Greater Cincinnati ad agency, and her volunteer efforts with local community organizations to grow the foundation's reach and impact both locally and across the country. 

"Abi embodies the Scripps culture and is passionate about the foundation and our work," said Mike Philipps, foundation president and CEO. "With her background in brand stewardship for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and her involvement in a number of nonprofit organizations, she understands how to build relationships while spreading the goodwill of the foundation."

Evans joined the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2010 as development manager. Her position expanded to involve both operations and sponsorship. She served as an ambassador for the program in building relationships with sponsors and in managing specific aspects of the program from its initial stages of spelling in the classroom all the way through to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., each May.

Evans worked in client services roles for Northlich, a Cincinnati-based independent advertising agency, from 2004-2010. Among her clients were Birds Eye foods, totes and Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation.   

She grew up in Northern Kentucky, and has long been active in the community. She serves as board vice chair for the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. She led the young professionals' team at Scripps to support the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund. She also has served on a development committee for the Ronald McDonald House and played an active role with the World Choir Games leadership group when the event came to Cincinnati in 2012.

She has a bachelor's degree in speech communication from Miami University of Ohio.