LOS ANGELES, March 7, 2022 — Amy Papageorges has been named the new executive director of the American Red Cross serving Greater Long Beach and South Bay. The chapter serves more than two million individuals in 57 cities, including the residents of Torrance, Compton, El Segundo, Carson, Gardena, Lakewood and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Papageorges has an extensive history with the Red Cross, spanning 17 years of service in the Biomedical Services Division alongside the Greater Long Beach and South Bay Chapter Communities. Her knowledge of the community and engagement with civic leaders is extensive, and she said she hopes this gives her a great launching point into the needs of the community.

As part of its humanitarian mission, the Red Cross Greater Long Beach and South Bay Chapter provides emergency relief to residents impacted by disasters and supports our service members and their families. It strives to make all local communities and cultural groups safer and more resilient through collecting blood; installing free smoke alarms; teaching health and safety skills such as CPR, water safety and first aid; and empowering residents with emergency preparedness skills.

As executive director, Papageorges will be conducting media interviews; coordinating with community partners and elected officials; fundraising for the Greater Long Beach and South Bay; recruiting and engaging with volunteers; and helping with blood donation and collection goals.

“The remarkable Red Crossers of the Long Beach and South Bay area are resilient and devoted to the work of the organization. It will be an honor to work alongside our esteemed board of directors and exceptional volunteer community,” Papageorges said. “I am continually inspired by the breadth of support the Red Cross provides in serving those in need both in the U.S. and abroad.”

Throughout her tenure, she has been an active leader and face of the Red Cross in roles include senior account manager, district manager, local market manager and area booking manager. She has enjoyed working on lifesaving blood collection competitions such as Battle of the Badges, city blood challenge and the National Cesar E. Chavez and Migrant Student Foundation Blood Challenge. She has managed numerous special projects such as the prominent KLOS Radio Station Annual Blood Drives, Dodgers vs. Angels blood drives, the Leukopack research donor program and COVID-19 Response Community Based Planning Initiative.

Amy was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University, and resides in Seal Beach, CA.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.

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