Natalia Pane appointed new president of Child Trends

Bethesda, Maryland
May 19, 2023

Media Contact: Emily Baqir, pr@childtrends.org

The Board of Directors of Child Trends, the nation’s premier research organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children and youth, today announced the appointment of Natalia Pane as the next president of Child Trends, effective July 1, 2023. She succeeds Carol Emig, who is retiring after a remarkable tenure leading Child Trends for almost 17 years. 

As president, Pane will lead the organization in its mission to improve the lives of children and youth by providing high-quality research, analysis, and insights on key issues affecting children, informing public policies and practices, and supporting the development and improvement of effective interventions and programs. 

Pane’s selection is the outcome of an extensive national search led by a Search Committee of the Board of Directors and assisted by Spencer Stuart. 

For more than 25 years, Natalia Pane has worked closely with the leadership of government agencies, foundations, and nonprofits to collect and use better data—from federal statistics to performance measures—to improve children’s lives. Most recently, she has served as Child Trends chief operating officer, leading all research, research operations, and most administrative functions. Previously, she served as the executive director of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Education Statistics Services Institute (NAEP ESSI), working closely with the National Center for Education Statistics, as a visiting scholar at the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences, and as a managing associate at the American Institutes for Research.   

In announcing the selection, Ron Richter, chair of Child Trends’ Board of Directors and of the Search Committee, said, “Natalia Pane stood out in a field of many strong candidates. She possesses a proven track record of transformative leadership and has consistently demonstrated her ability to inspire and guide teams toward meaningful impact. She brings extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, coupled with a deep commitment to equity. Under her leadership, we are confident that Child Trends will continue to make a profound impact in promoting the well-being of children and families and informing policies that shape their futures.” 

Pane expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am honored to lead Child Trends and build upon its strong foundation as a trusted resource for research and insights on children’s well-being. In today’s rapidly changing world, it is crucial that we prioritize evidence-based practices and data-driven decision-making to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. I look forward to working closely with the Child Trends Board, the talented team at Child Trends, as well as our partners and communities, to advance the well-being of children and youth across the nation.” 

As president, Pane will assume responsibility for overseeing the strategic direction of Child Trends, cultivating partnerships, expanding research initiatives, and engaging with policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to promote evidence-based solutions that improve outcomes for children. 

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About Child Trends: Child Trends is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth by providing accurate data, rigorous analysis, and evidence-based insights. With a focus on informing policies, programs, and practices, Child Trends works toward advancing the well-being of all children and ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.childtrends.org.