In the News: EduCare Foundation Appoints Jill Jacobson as New CEO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2024
Contact: Lynn Farwell, Executive Administrator and Communications Coordinator
Phone: (818) 646-5220
Email: lynn@educarefoundation.com
VAN NUYS, CA—After an extensive search and careful consideration, EduCare’s Board of Directors is incredibly pleased to announce the appointment of Jill Jacobson as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025.
Jill has over 30 years’ experience in finance, operations and human resources management, legal contract management and negotiation, project management, strategic planning and development, and regulatory compliance.
In 2007, Jill first came to EduCare by volunteering as an Event Captain in our Achievement and Commitment to Excellence (ACE) Program. As her love for EduCare and her commitment to serving students grew, she quickly joined EduCare’s Administrative team as Finance Director (2008 to 2015). She was promoted to Vice President of Finance and Human Resources (2015 to 2018) and has served in her current role as Chief Operating Officer since 2018. For the past 16 years, Jill has skillfully overseen EduCare’s daily business management and continues to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to EduCare’s mission with impeccability and excellence in all that she does.
Prior to joining EduCare, her career in finance began with a decade as a Vice President and Manager of the Institutional Trust Department at Bank of America, followed by five years as a Network Manager with The Capital Group Companies. At the Capital Group, Jill was engaged in emerging international market research and strategic market access. Directly before joining EduCare, she served as a Vice President and Manager of security operations at IndyMac Bank.
Jill holds two bachelor’s degrees in business administration with an emphasis in Finance and Psychology from California State University, Long Beach.
Search Committee Chair Katherine Hall expressed confidence in her ability to steer the organization forward:
"We were looking for the individual who knew and understood EduCare, and would follow EduCare’s mission, have heart, and embody what EduCare stands for. Through the interview process, we saw this in spades from Jill. I believe she will carry on the heart and loving that is EduCare.”
Jill Jacobson, incoming CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for her new role and the opportunity to serve:
"I am wholeheartedly committed to EduCare’s mission, vision, and values, and I am thrilled to serve with EduCare’s dedicated Board, talented Leadership Team, extraordinary staff, and our essential community partners to continue to provide and grow the vital programs and services that empower our youth for success in school and in life.”
Co-Founder and Outgoing President, Stu Semigran, also shared his thoughts on the appointment, emphasizing continuity and leadership:
“I have complete confidence in Jill as EduCare continues to fulfill its mission. I’ve worked closely with her for the past 16 years, and she has always demonstrated wisdom, perseverance, commitment, and caring. There could not have been a better choice to lead EduCare into the future.”
Semigran will retire on December 31, 2024, and will continue to serve as an advisor and ambassador, furthering EduCare’s impact in the world.
Board Chair Nicholas Brown agrees that Jacobson’s appointment is pivotal for the organization as it continues to expand its programs and services to meet the community's evolving needs:
“It was the unanimous decision of the Succession Committee that Jill Jacobson is the best candidate. She knows EduCare so well, and is fully dedicated to EduCare’s mission, and to the qualities of loving, caring, and sensitivity for the important work that EduCare is doing with the students we serve.”
For more information about the EduCare Foundation, please visit https://educarefoundation.com
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EduCare’s mission is to inspire and empower young people to become responsible global citizens, courageous and compassionate leaders, and to live their dreams. We provide exemplary transformational education guiding young people to be healthy, whole, successful, and contributing citizens; and adults to be inspiring and supportive role models. EduCare service platforms include afterschool program management; academic intervention programs; professional staff development including social-emotional learning (SEL) and community building; student peer mentoring; community service; cross-age mentoring; and parent education.