American Constitution Society Welcomes New Interim President

Zinelle October, Former ACS Vice President of Network Advancement,
Assumes the Helm of ACS as Nationwide Search for New President is Conducted  

MEDIA CONTACT: William Lutz, media@acslaw.org

Washington, DC — The American Constitution Society announced today that Zinelle October will assume the role of Interim President effective September 1, 2019. The ACS Board of Directors selected Ms. October to succeed long-time president Caroline Fredrickson, who transitions to President Emeritus through the end of the year. Ms. October, who has been with ACS for almost nine years and currently serves as the organization’s Vice President of Network Advancement, will oversee the organization as the Board conducts a nationwide search for a new President.

“I am honored by the trust placed in me by the Board and I look forward to leading ACS and continuing to strengthen its role as a stalwart defender of the U.S. Constitution,” said Ms. October. “Our country, throughout its history, has faced many challenges, but organizations such as ACS have always risen to meet them. I fully intend to see that ACS remains at the forefront of an invigorated and diverse progressive legal community, dedicated to defending democracy, equality, liberty, access to justice, and the rule of law.”

“We are very grateful to Caroline for her years of steady leadership at ACS,” said ACS Board chair Pam Karlan. “And we are so fortunate to have someone with Zinelle’s experience and talent willing to step in and lead ACS at this critical time. Her knowledge of ACS’s nationwide chapter network and the progressive legal community at large will be crucial as we work through this transition and strategic plan.”

The ACS Board of Directors has announced a nationwide search for Ms. Fredrickson’s successor, with a new president expected to be in place by January 2020.

Ms. October's bio can be found here.