Executive Director
Since 2015, Nathan Monell has served as the executive director for the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)., America’s oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association.
At PTA, Nathan advances family engagement and public policy addressing the educational success and well-being of our nation’s children. This work is a continuation of his lifelong commitment to elevate the voice of consumers as partners in the design, delivery and evaluation of services.
He has provided strategic programmatic and advocacy leadership to services supporting youth and families, foster care, mental health, educational/employment and HIV/substance abuse prevention and care. He has led public policy efforts in all levels of government and partnered with foundations and corporations to improve outcomes and advance equity in communities.
An ASAE-certified association executive, Nathan earned Georgetown University’s certificate in nonprofit management, a master’s degree in Communication Studies (Organizational Communication/Behavior) from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in Speech from Cornerstone University.
Nathan serves as a member of the board of directors for The Prometheus Consortium (which promotes effective association management practices and provides opportunities for peer consultation and problem-solving), as well as a member and previous chair of the Learning First Alliance (a partnership of leading education organizations representing more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools). He is also a member of the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board, and a member of the Motion Picture Association Movie Ratings Appeal Board.
Nathan and his husband, Robert Pignato, are proud dads of two adopted children, Kira and Gonzalo.