Children’s Craniofacial Association Announces New Executive Director

CCANewLogoAfter 26 Years of Service, Charlene Smith Retires and Brings on New Leadership

Dallas, Texas. Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA), a national nonprofit headquartered in Dallas and founded in 1989 has worked for over 26 years toward the vision of a world where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look. Each year thousands of children in the United States are born with or develop some form of facial anomaly. In many cases, reconstructive surgeons can correct these problems early—often while the child is still an infant. However, many children must undergo dozens of surgeries and procedures throughout their lives and face isolation and teasing from their peers. Throughout childhood and into adulthood, CCA helps families navigate, prepare for, and thrive on the craniofacial journey.

Children’s Craniofacial Association is the premier organization that supports these children and CCA offers programs and services including Financial Assistance for Medical Travel, bringing together families at our the Annual Family Retreat & Educational Symposium, and presenting kindness education and bullying prevention resources in schools across the country.

CCA announced today their board of directors has appointed Erica C. Mossholder as the new Executive Director. Mossholder recently served as CCA’s Communications and Outreach Director. As Executive Director, Mossholder succeeds Charlene Smith, who will remain as Executive Director Emeritus to continue to serve in an advisory and mentoring capacity.

“Erica has experience in higher education and business development. She has been involved with CCA for over six years, serving on the Board of Directors, attending retreats, and volunteering with media outreach. Erica is bright and motivated to propel CCA into the digital era, with new programs and services on the horizon.  Her knowledge of what it is like to live with a craniofacial condition will help enrich the lives of yet another generation of CCA and we are grateful to have found someone so passionate about our mission, committed to our principles and values, and who knows how to build a successful business,” said Char Smith. “As Executive Director Emeritus, I look forward to remaining actively engaged with CCA, our partners and our families, and supporting Erica in her new role as Executive Director.”

CCA’s Executive Director Erica Mossholder said, “I am honored and excited to lead CCA in our mission to empower and give hope to all individuals and families with facial differences. Char has led this organization through nearly three decades of economic, technological, social, and medical changes and developments. Her leadership has been instrumental in the success of CCA and our mission to provide financial assistance and psychosocial support has been accomplished directly through her dedicated work. We are forever grateful for her long-sighted leadership and she has left a beautiful legacy. Char will continue to be an invaluable resource as our Executive Director Emeritus and I look forward to working as closely with her in the future as we have in the past.”

To learn more about CCA and its programs, please visit www.ccakids.org.