The Worcester Educational Development Foundation recently named veteran nonprofit leader Rosie Fayard as its new executive director, bringing more than 15 years of fundraising, advancement and community partnership experience to the organization.
Fayard joins the nonprofit as it continues its work supporting Worcester Public Schools students and educators through scholarships, classroom mini-grants, cultural enrichment programs and community partnerships.
Most recently, Fayard served as vice president of advancement at Learning First Charter Public School in Worcester, where she led a $20 million campaign to acquire and renovate a new school building serving nearly 700 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. She previously served as executive director of the Learning First Foundation, where she oversaw efforts to rebuild the organization’s board, donor base, branding and strategic plan.
Her earlier career included development and operations leadership roles with the Old Colony YMCA in Brockton and the West Suburban YMCA in Newton.
“Rosie is exactly the leader WEDF needs at this moment,” WEDF Board President Matt Wally said in a statement. “Her track record of building strong, sustainable nonprofits, her roots in Worcester, and her genuine commitment to the students and families we serve made her stand out from a strong field of candidates. We are excited to work alongside her as WEDF enters its next chapter of growth and impact for Worcester Public Schools.”
Fayard said she hopes to build on the foundation’s more than two decades of work while responding to the changing needs of Worcester students and families.
“WEDF is a wonderful organization that has been working for over 20 years to support the students of Worcester Public Schools,” Fayard said in the announcement. “As the needs and demographics of our community evolve, so too must our work. I look forward to working with our supporters, partners, and the WPS community to ensure that every student is prepared to step into their role as a future leader of our city.”
According to the organization, Fayard’s initial priorities include modernizing donor and partner systems, expanding WEDF’s marketing and community presence, and leading development of the nonprofit’s next strategic plan. The organization said the plan will support continued growth of programs including Cultural LEAP field trips, scholarships and educator mini-grants while identifying new initiatives to meet the evolving needs of Worcester Public Schools students.
Fayard holds a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree in communications and theatre arts from Bridgewater State University. She also serves as a corporator with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts and is a former board member of the Rotary Club of Worcester.
Founded more than 20 years ago, the Worcester Educational Development Foundation supports Worcester Public Schools through scholarships, educator grants, cultural enrichment opportunities and strategic partnerships designed to expand educational opportunities for students.
