INK! Executive Director, Receives Statewide Recognition as 2024 'Joe Rizzo Learner & Leader'

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Sept. 24, 2024 - PRLog -- The "ConnectED" conference of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) in Orlando, FL, on September 19, 2024, provided a great opportunity to surprise Investing in Kids (INK!) Executive Director Cathy Newman with special recognition for her engagement in the statewide organization.

The Joe Rizzo Learner & Leader Award is presented annually to a local education foundation leader who is active in their own learning and development while serving as a leader in their organization and through engagement with the Consortium.

"Our late colleague, Joe Rizzo, led the Flagler Education Foundation until his unexpected passing in March of 2022," said Consortium President Mary Chance. "He saw the value of our network, was an avid learner, and contributed to our collaborative culture. Cathy exemplifies his spirit by investing in her own professional development while contributing her time and leadership to support her peers and our statewide organization."

As the leader of the education foundation in St. Johns County, Newman routinely shares with her colleagues at quarterly Consortium conference and taps into new resources to benefit local students and teachers. She recently completed the Certificate in Education Foundation Leadership (CEFL) program of the National Association of Education Foundations. Newman consistently seeks opportunities to develop her skills and knowledge through active learning with both the Florida Consortium and the national organization for education foundations.

About the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations:

The Consortium is the membership organization for Florida's school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, the Consortium connects individuals, organizations, and financial resources to build the capacity and effectiveness of Florida's local education foundations. Together, Consortium members raise more than $100 million annually for a variety of locally driven initiatives and are led by 1,200 board members, 80% of whom are local business and community leaders working in partnership with school district leaders. The Consortium manages the nation's only 1:1 legislative match for education foundation initiatives and a variety of privately funded grant programs. To learn more about the Consortium or connect with any member local education foundation, visit https://educationfoundationsfl.org.

About the St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc.:

The St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc., which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), promotes success for all St. Johns County public school students and teachers by investing in innovative programs, teacher support, classroom resources, and college and technical school scholarships to benefit more than 52,000 students and 3,200 teachers. INK! is a 501(c)3 education foundation with offices located at 1 Christopher Street in St. Augustine, FL. Learn more at https://ink-stjohns.org/.