Ryan House, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that provides respite and palliative care to Arizona children facing life-threatening conditions and, as needed, end-of-life care, is pleased to announce a new Executive Director and Chairman of their Board of Directors.   The nonprofit recently selected Julie Bank as their new Executive Director and Matthew Winter has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board.

Bank comes to Ryan House with more than 25 years of experience in program planning, administration, communications and marketing experience in the nonprofit sector on both the national and local level.  She brings strong qualifications that will enhance Ryan House’s fundraising, program development, and donor relations. Bank will be responsible for a budget of $2million while overseeing the staff and work in collaboration with severalcommunity partners.

“I look forward to furthering the mission of Ryan House and to bring awareness to the good work being done through our respite, palliative and end-of-life care program,” said Bank.  “I have a passion to want to help children and will look forward to bringing my nonprofit expertise to help serve the children and families of Ryan House.”

Bank has previously worked for American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as the Director of Education, at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and most recently was the Executive Director at Animal Care & Control of NYC, running the largest animal welfare organization in the North East.  Bank also has spent more than eight years as a CASA volunteer helping children in the foster care system in Calif., New York and Ariz.

In addition, the Board of Directors recently elected Matthew Winter as the Chairman of the Board. He is currently the managing member ofWinter Law Group, P.L.C., founded by Winter in 2008.  He focuses his practice in the areas of commercial transactions and litigation, and has been practicing law for 20 years.

Winter is committed to serving youth through various community organizations and sports, coaching youth football and baseball and serving as an instructor at various youth sports clinics.  He joined the Board of Directors of Ryan House in 2011 to further his personal commitment to helping youth in the community.

“Ryan House truly is a unique nonprofit in our community and in the country,” said Winter.  “ I am honored to be a part of their leadership and look forward to making great strides to bring awareness to such a needed program.”

Winter currently also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Fiesta Bowl and Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, after having served as a member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee since 1997.