After nearly three-and-a-half years, Freedom Kolb is resigning her position as Executive Director of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation. Shelley Jackson, President of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation Board of Directors, made the announcement in a posting to the foundation’s website.
Kolb
“It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors of Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation announces the resignation of our Executive Director, Freedom Kolb,” Jackson said in her statement. “As many of you are already aware, the Foundation recently collaborated with Hamilton Southeastern Schools in securing a $2.1 Million Lilly Endowment award to the district.”
“Freedom led the district’s grant writing team. Her passion and expertise in the areas of student mental health, equity and inclusion, and grant administration have presented Freedom with a unique and exciting opportunity to continue to serve Hamilton Southeastern Schools,” stated Jackson.
According to Jackson, Freedom has been a transformational leader for the Foundation. Under her stewardship, the Foundation has realized substantial growth and success, including:
- Ranked fourth in the nation in 2017 by the Caruther’s Institute for public education foundations of our size
- Increased fund development by 283 percent which resulted in influential educational projects like mindful schools, literacy kits, project lead the wayefforts, outdoor learning labs, and more.
- Fostered growth and innovation in all hallmark events, including Giving Tuesday, Game Day, and Mudsock Game VIP Experience.
- Launched and fully funded several new programs, including our SPARK Grantto provide time-sensitive grant support outside of the typical funding cycle and Time Capsule, a long term investment vehicle for each incoming class within the district.
- Performed numerous infrastructure upgrades, including transitioning to an online scholarshipand grant submission platform benefiting students, faculty and donors alike.
- Honed 501(c)(3) best practices, including substantially growing the reserve fund and engaging in ongoing strategic and succession planning.
- Supported district educators through countless grant writing and professional development opportunities, including the Lilly Endowment grant.
Although Kolb is resigning from the HSE Schools Foundation, she will remain with the District working on the Lilly Foundation grant aimed at improving the counseling at HSE Schools.
The search is now on for a new executive director, and the foundation is already taking applications.