Maria Eitel, President Barack Obama’s choice to head the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), has withdrawn her nomination due to an undisclosed health issue.
A message regarding the withdrawal was sent to CNCS grantees late in the day on Friday, May 22. Acting CNCS CEO Nicola Goren wrote that Eitel was withdrawing because of “a previously unknown health condition.” The message continued: “Finding leadership for the Corporation continues to be a high priority for the White House and I’m confident they will work hard to name someone else soon.”
Other than to pass along the message when asked for it, CNCS spokesman Sandy Scott gave little to shed more light on the issue. “Her health is a personal matter. I don’t have any more details,” he replied in an email message. He said that Goren will remain acting CEO until a new nominee is confirmed by the U.S. Senate but did not answer whether she is in the running for the position.
The White House did not have an official statement. An official did confirm the health issue as a reason for the withdrawal but had no further information.
CNCS oversees AmeriCorps and other national service programs. National service has been high on Obama priority list. Previous CEO David Eisner resigned from the position this past fall.
Eitel is the founding president of the Nike Foundation. She was Nike Inc.’s first vice president for corporate responsibility. She also served as European corporate affairs group manager for Microsoft and at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and MCI Communications Corp. She served in the White House doing media affairs work.
[From The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management]