Gina Thompson of Muscle Shoals, was named Director of Development for the March of Dimes. Gina has more than 15 years sales experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, most recently working as senior sales manager for a regional based logistics company assigned to the Northern and Central Alabama territory. Gina also worked with the American Heart Association (AHA) where she saw tremendous growth in various revenue directorships throughout the state. With AHA, she most recently served as Vice President of Field Services over the Mobile, Shoals and New Orleans markets. Gina has two children, Saylor, 9, and Hudson, 6.

Benita Hopkins of Huntsville, has resumed the role of Division Director for the Mountain Lakes Division in Huntsville. Benita has worked in all facets of the nonprofit industry from volunteerism to executive management. She is the cofounder of Step by Step, Inc. and a member of the Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women. Benita oversees all Huntsville-area WalkAmerica campaigns and special events. Benita brings a personal passion to the March of Dimes, having experienced the premature birth of her own son, Joshua, in February.

Ivy Holmes of Fairhope, has been named Division Director for the Southwest Division in Mobile. Prior to joining the March of Dimes, Ivy worked for Children’s Hospital Foundation in Birmingham as a Community Relations and Advocacy Coordinator where she was responsible for managing various Children’s Miracle Network programs and the Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees.  She is the Assistant Treasurer for the Eastern Shore Junior Auxiliary and member of the Baldwin County Auburn University Alumni Association, Mobile Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. As Southwest Division Director, Ivy oversees the Mobile Signature Chefs event and the Mobile and Baldwin County WalkAmerica campaigns. Ivy and her husband, Brett, have a five-year-old daughter, Lauren Ann.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. Currently, the March of Dimes has more than $927,000 invested in Alabama community programs and research projects. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.

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