Bain & Company’s Gerard du Toit takes on key leadership role as nonprofit seeks to expand, plan next chapter
APRIL 8, 2026, BOSTON, MA — Cradles to Crayons® (C2C)®, the only large-scale U.S. nonprofit exclusively focused on ending Clothing Insecurity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gerard du Toit as chair of its National Board of Directors. A member of the board for more than eight years, du Toit will take over the leadership post effective April 1.
Du Toit is a Senior Partner at Bain & Company in Boston, where he works with leading companies to improve performance and achieve breakthrough results. He specializes in retail banking, credit cards and payments, and has supported several of the most successful financial services companies in the U.S. and globally.
Du Toit takes over as board chair at a pivotal time for C2C, as the organization embarks on a five-year strategic plan to strengthen operations and grow beyond its three core markets. C2C, with locations in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, provides new and gently used clothing and other essentials – free of charge – to children living in low-income, homeless and crisis situations. C2C distributes an estimated 1 million packages of essential items to children each year through a network of nearly 350 service partners.
“I believe deeply in Cradles to Crayons’ mission—not just in principle, but through firsthand experience of its impact—and I’m committed to helping expand that impact to reach more children and families,” Du Toit said. “This is a particularly exciting moment for the organization. My priority, alongside the Board, is to partner closely with Christine and her leadership team—and with all of our stakeholders—to sustainably and responsibly grow our reach, significantly increasing the number of children whose essential needs we meet, both in our current markets and as we expand to serve new communities.”
“Gerard brings deep personal commitment to this work and a firm belief that we can do even more to reach the kids who need us most,” said Cradles to Crayons CEO Christine Morin. “At a moment when demand for our services has never been greater, I can think of no better person to lead our board forward.”
Du Toit takes over from Dean Athanasia, who chaired the board for the last 10 years. Athanasia, Co-President of Bank of America and a member of the company’s executive management team, is credited with leading the board through significant growth in the organization. While stepping down as Chair, Athanasia will continue serving on the board.
“Over the past decade, I’ve had a front‑row seat as this organization grew from a powerful local model into a national force for change – helping communities better understand and address children’s clothing insecurity,” Athanasia said. “I’ll always be proud to support this remarkable community and thankful for the opportunity to serve.”
“Dean’s leadership over the past 10 years has been an extraordinary gift to Cradles to Crayons,” Morin said. “He guided us through a global pandemic, through growth and through change — and he did so with grace and an unwavering commitment to our mission. The strength and stability we have today is a direct reflection of his stewardship.”
In addition to the leadership change, C2C is welcoming two new members to the Board of Directors, Janene Asgeirsson and Carolyn Hastings. Asgeirsson serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Analog Devices (ADI). Hastings is a Partner on the Credit Team and a member of the Private Credit Group at Bain Capital.
C2C’s National Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and direction for the nonprofit. For more information, visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.
