Gap Inc.
December 14, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – December 14, 2010 – Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) announced today that President Obama intends to appoint Bobbi Silten, Chief Foundation Officer at Gap Inc., to serve on the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council will provide advice to the President on the best ways to mobilize citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government to work more effectively together to solve specific community needs.
In today’s White House announcement, President Obama stated, “These impressive men and women have dedicated their lives and careers to civic engagement and social innovation. I commend them for their outstanding contributions to their communities, and I am confident that they will serve the American people well in their new roles on the White House Council for Community Solutions. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
“Bobbi Silten is passionate about creating new ways of supporting the communities in which we live and work,” said Glenn Murphy, Chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. “By serving on the Council, she will bring her innovative thinking to a wide range of ideas and solutions. We’re proud she’s building on Gap Inc.’s 40 year legacy of making a positive contribution to the community.”
The Council has been tasked with three key functions: enlisting leaders in the non-profit, private, and philanthropic sectors to make progress on key policy goals; providing strategic input and recommendations to help the federal government promote greater innovation and cross-sector collaboration; and honoring and highlighting those making a significant impact in their own communities. The Council will be composed of leaders from non-profits, corporations and foundations who are committed to social innovation and civic engagement. Visit Serve.gov/CommunitySolutions to learn more about the White House Council on Community Solutions.
“I am delighted by the prospect of joining the President’s Council for Community Solutions and partnering with other leaders to develop solutions that meet community needs,” said Silten.
For more than five years, Silten has led Gap Foundation, overseeing national and global community investment, skills development training initiatives, and employee volunteer programs. In the past year, Gap Inc. employees volunteered more than 318,000 hours. Gap Foundation was established in 1977 by the company’s founders, Doris and Don Fisher, and the company has since contributed more than $100 million to community organizations.
Gap Inc. also partners on “Skills for America’s Future,” a new White House initiative focused on workforce development through strategic job and career building skills. Gap Inc.’s “Gap for Community Colleges” program includes skills training and job placement for community college students in seven American cities.
Gap Inc. currently supports a number of specific community investment programs, including:
- Gap Inc. Leadership Initiative – This program provides skills and leadership training by Gap Inc. employees to our nonprofit partners.
- This Way Ahead – This youth education and skills training program offers job readiness training and paid internships in Old Navy and Gap stores.
- Plan Ahead – This is a public/private partnership between Gap Inc., The Pearson Foundation and the San Francisco Unified School District that helps students map out and achieve their academic, personal and career goals.
- P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement, Career Enhancement) – An award-winning program that provides life skills and technical training to female garment workers in developing countries.
About Bobbi Silten
Bobbi Silten is the Chief Foundation Officer at Gap Inc. Silten currently serves as Chair for the Reimagining Service, a national cross-sector initiative to increase the impact of volunteerism. She is also a national board member for Summer Search, a leadership program that helps underserved U.S. high school students complete high school and go on to college. She was formerly a co-chair of the Business Track of the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service and the inaugural co-chair for the California Volunteers Business Partners Program. Prior to joining Gap Inc., Silten spent 10 years at Levi Strauss & Co.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer with about 135,000 employees, offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta brands. Fiscal 2009 sales were $14.2 billion. Gap Inc. operates about 3,100 stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Japan, China and Italy. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
Media Relations:
Renate Geerlings
(202) 255-2744
Renate_geerlings@gap.com
Louise Callagy
(415) 427-3502
press@gap.com
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