Camp Fire Taps New Leaders for Ambitious 50-State Expansion Plan

KANSAS CITY, MO – May 20, 2026 – National youth development organization Camp Fire has appointed three senior leaders to execute an ambitious five-year strategic plan aimed at dramatically expanding its national footprint and deepening its community impact. The move signals a pivotal moment for the 116-year-old nonprofit as it positions itself for significant growth.

Monica Puente joins as chief operating officer, Tanna Abraham as senior vice president of network services, and Diana Cournoyer (Oglala Lakota) as senior advisor for Native partnerships. These strategic hires are central to "Flourish," Camp Fire's 2026–2030 plan to reach 250,000 young people annually across all 50 states, a substantial increase from its current service through 42 affiliates in 22 states and Washington, D.C.

"Building for the future of young people requires both vision and execution," said Shawna Rosenzweig, chief executive officer of Camp Fire. "Monica, Tanna and Diana each bring the experience and perspective needed to strengthen our network, expand our reach and better serve young people and families nationwide."

A Blueprint for National Growth

At the core of this new chapter is the "Flourish" strategic plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to scale the organization's operations and impact. The plan is structured around three key pillars: Contribution (maximizing youth opportunities), Collaboration (strengthening partnerships), and Capacity (building internal strength). By 2030, Camp Fire aims not only to be present in every state but also to ensure that 85% of its youth participants demonstrate measurable growth in skills and confidence, and that 90% of its local affiliates have enhanced their infrastructure to better serve their communities.

Executing this vision requires a robust operational and network management strategy, a task now falling to the new leadership. As Chief Operating Officer, Monica Puente will be responsible for building the internal machinery necessary for this expansion. With over 20 years in nonprofit finance and operations, and prior experience within the Camp Fire network, she is tasked with scaling the organization's infrastructure, overseeing finance and human resources, and ensuring the national headquarters can sustainably support a much larger affiliate network.

Simultaneously, Tanna Abraham's role as Senior Vice President of Network Services is designed to be the primary bridge between the national office and the local affiliates on the ground. Drawing from nearly two decades in national youth-serving organizations, most recently as chief program officer at IGNITE, Abraham will integrate affiliate support, program services, and child safety teams. Her focus will be on cultivating a culture of partnership and mutual accountability, ensuring that as the network grows, program quality and cohesion are maintained and continuously improved.

Diverse Leadership to Deepen Inclusive Impact

The appointments also represent a deliberate move to embed expertise in diversity and community-led programming at the highest levels of the organization. The hiring of Diana Cournoyer as Senior Advisor for Native Partnerships is particularly significant, reflecting a deep commitment to serving Indigenous youth and addressing the organization's own history.

Cournoyer brings more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous education and advocacy. During her decade of service at the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), including five years as its Executive Director, she was instrumental in expanding the organization's influence from Capitol Hill directly into Native communities. Her leadership helped secure millions in grant funding, influenced federal education policy, and championed culture-based educational practices as essential for Native student success.

Her appointment aligns with a key tenet of the 'Flourish' plan: to "repair harm caused by our past appropriative practices" and build reciprocal, community-led partnerships with Native organizations. As senior advisor, Cournoyer will shape the vision for program delivery in collaboration with affiliates and Native partners, ensuring that services for Indigenous youth are authentic, respectful, and honor cultural traditions. This specialized role signals a shift in the youth development sector toward more nuanced and culturally competent strategies for reaching underserved populations.

Evolving a Century-Old Legacy for Today's Youth

Founded in 1910 as the first nonsectarian and multiracial organization for girls, Camp Fire has a long history of adapting to meet the needs of the times. Today, as an inclusive nonprofit serving all youth, these new initiatives represent its latest evolution. The organization's strategic direction mirrors broader trends in the youth development sector, which increasingly prioritize Positive Youth Development (PYD) frameworks, mental and social well-being, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth voice is amplified.

The 'Flourish' plan is not just about geographic expansion; it's about deepening the quality of its year-round offerings, which include afterschool programs, leadership training, and outdoor education. The focus on strengthening local affiliate capacity and fostering community-driven programs is a direct response to the understanding that effective youth development must be tailored to local contexts and needs.

This ambitious undertaking is supported by a solid financial foundation. The organization’s recent annual reports show strong revenue performance and a surplus in unrestricted net assets, providing the stability needed to invest in both national infrastructure and direct affiliate support. This combination of a clear strategic vision, experienced leadership, and financial health positions the legacy nonprofit to remain relevant and impactful for a new generation of young people facing an increasingly complex world.

Strengthening the Network from Within

A critical component of Camp Fire's expansion strategy is its focus on reinforcing the affiliate network that forms the backbone of its service delivery. Rather than a top-down mandate, the 'Flourish' plan was developed through a collaborative process that involved extensive listening sessions with affiliate leaders to understand their unique challenges and aspirations. This approach is intended to foster a sense of shared ownership and build a more resilient, interconnected ecosystem.

Under the new leadership structure, significant resources will be directed toward network cohesion. Tanna Abraham's team will facilitate peer-to-peer learning, share best practices from across the country, and provide targeted technical assistance to help affiliates grow. The goal of strengthening the infrastructure of 90% of affiliates by 2030 involves a deep dive into local needs, from upgrading financial and governance systems to providing leadership development for staff and board members.

This model acknowledges that sustainable national growth is impossible without strong, healthy local partners. By investing in the capacity of its affiliates, Camp Fire aims to create a virtuous cycle where local programs are better equipped to serve their communities, in turn strengthening the entire national network and making the goal of reaching 250,000 youth a tangible reality. The strategy represents a thoughtful approach to scaling, balancing national ambition with a deep respect for local expertise and community connection.