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Jerrod Ferrari

PRESS RELEASE: WCGMF ED Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2024 CONTACT

Jerrod Ferrari

203.963.9224

 

The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund Names Dr. Gislaine Ngounou as New CEO

 

HAMDEN, CT  (August 15, 2024)– The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (WCGMF) announces the appointment of Dr. Gislaine Ngounou as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ngounou brings over 20 years of experience across the education sector, including philanthropy, nonprofits, and school districts.


Dr. Ngounou most recently served as Interim President and CEO, as well as Vice President of Strategy and Programs, at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF). During her tenure at NMEF, she led efforts to advance racial justice in public education through strategic grantmaking, trust-based philanthropy, policy advocacy, and community-driven initiatives. During her tenure at NMEF, the Foundation earned one of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's prestigious Impact Awards.


“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gislaine Ngounou to the Memorial Fund,” said Lisa Graustein, Chair of the Board of Trustees, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. “Her deep commitment to social and racial justice, coupled with her extensive experience in education and philanthropy, makes her the ideal leader to drive our mission forward.”


Dr. Ngounou's background includes key roles at Phi Delta Kappa International and various school districts, where she taught, as well as designed and led programs focused on equity, social justice, and leadership development. She holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an Education Specialist in Administration from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Missouri Central, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri Kansas City.


"I am ready and excited to lead an organization with a strong commitment to equity and justice in education, especially during these times” said Ngounou. “I look forward to working with the team and our partners to continue inspiring efforts to end racism and poverty, and to fuel opportunities for education justice in Connecticut and beyond.”


“I am excited and pleased that Gislaine Ngounou is stepping in to lead the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund,” said Bill Graustein, with the Memorial Fund. “Gislaine brings deep first-hand knowledge of and insight into both educational and philanthropic institutions. Those talents, combined with her skill and enthusiasm for building relationships - both those within organizations and those bridging diverse backgrounds – promise an engaging and impactful next chapter in the Memorial Fund’s work to advance equity in education.”


In the coming months, WCGMF will also schedule a meet-and-greet with staff and Dr. Ngounou. Her official start day is Sept. 3.


“Dr. Ngounou's breath of experience, her values and work to create equitable and just education systems are perfectly aligned with the Fund and our vision to co-create a CT in which all people experience a just education that respects, values, and equips them to live fulfilling and successful lives of their choosing,” said Barbara Tinney, a Memorial Fund Trustee. “We are confident that she will provide the leadership needed to continue our work to make significant systemic and social change.”


For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Gislaine Ngounou, please contact Jerrod Ferrari at 203-963-9224 or Jerrod@narrative-project.com.

 

ABOUT THE WILLIAM CASPER GRAUSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND

The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is dedicated to achieving equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty. The Fund envisions education systems throughout Connecticut that are just, respect, value, and equip everyone to build thriving, liberated, and equitable communities. The mission of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty.

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