Forest Hills — A former middle and high school educator has been selected as the new executive director of the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation.
Lauren Reilly will begin her new role as executive director Nov. 2. In this position, she will collaborate with the foundation’s board of directors, district leadership, donors, volunteers and community partners to raise awareness, grow philanthropic support and strengthen the foundation’s capacity to invest in students and schools across the district, according to a press release from the foundation.
“As a former educator and now a parent with a child in the district, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact that strong schools and engaged communities can have on students’ lives,” Reilly said. “Forest Hills has a remarkable tradition of excellence, and I am excited to build on that legacy.
“As public education continues to evolve, the foundation serves as a catalyst for innovation and opportunity, helping ensure every Forest Hills student has access to exceptional learning experiences that prepare them to succeed in an ever-changing world.”
Reilly began her career as a teacher in the South Bronx and Harlem, in New York, before transitioning to nonprofit leadership, where she spent more than a decade building and expanding organizations focused on creating greater opportunities for young people.
Most recently, she served as executive director of Gratitude Network, a global nonprofit that accelerates and supports more than 300 social entrepreneurs serving around the world. She also co-founded and led SuitUp, a national education nonprofit that grew from a startup organization into a multimillion-dollar nonprofit serving students across the country.
Reilly was named an White House Champion of Change, a program launched by the Obama Administration, for her work in summer learning. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Urban Education at Davenport University.
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