LOS ANGELES (Aug. 27, 2008) - - Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles' Board of Directors announced today the selection of Paulette Pasciuti as the chapter's new president and CEO.  Pasciuti will begin her tenure on Sept. 2, 2008, succeeding Kelli Seely, who relocated to Washington D.C. with her family.

"We are extremely pleased to have Ms. Pasciuti join us as president and CEO," said Wayne R. Johnson, board chair.  "The board was impressed with her strong combination of non-profit achievements, business experience, and leadership skills, and we are confident she can successfully lead our chapter through the next stage of its history."

Ms. Pasciuti most recently served as a senior development director for City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center working on finding cures and treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, where she also worked previously as a major gifts/gift planning officer and board of directors development officer.

"Paulette's historic success in fundraising will be of incredible value to the Foundation in the current economic environment," said Jeffrey R. Germain, incoming Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles board chair.

Prior to joining City of Hope, Ms. Pasciuti held several successful positions in the business and technology sectors. As president and CEO of Unicorn Systems Company, a Glendale software development and consulting firm where she worked from 1992 until 2003, Ms. Pasciuti implemented a successful company turnaround, increasing profit 300 percent and reducing operating costs by 50 percent. 

Ms. Pasciuti also worked as a branch manager at information and technology consulting firm Cap Gemini America; as a manager at consulting and accounting firm Ernst & Young; and held key executive positions at information and technology outsourcing firms Genix Corporation and Litton Computer Services.

"Being selected to lead the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles is a tremendous honor," said Pasciuti.  "I look forward to not only making the wishes come true for as many children as possible, but creating lasting memories for their families as well." 

Ms. Pasciuti received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands.  She also serves as a trustee on the board of the Fielding Graduate University and on the board of the Organization of Women Executives.