IIY Hires Executive Director

Courtney Jones-Vanderleest

Meet Courtney Jones-Vanderleest, Invest in Youth’s (IIY) part-time Executive Director who began work in late February. A recent arrival from Tucson, AZ (yes, she likes our clouds and rain), Courtney brings a wide variety of professional and educational experience to our tutoring program. She recently served as Program Director for a large Community Center in Tucson where she experienced firsthand the negative effects the national financial crisis was having on non-profit budgets. She quickly learned that key ingredients for financial survival involved broadening your funding base while at the same time being nimble as an organization. Prior to this position, Courtney worked for 18 years with youth programs as camp counselor, after school tutor, residential youth manager and community center coordinator. Her passion, simply stated, is to develop sustainable nonprofits that serve youth in need.

I asked Courtney a few questions….

What is a typical day as ED like?
I’m up early and immediately start working remotely on emails and reviewing the many files that have been passed on to me. During my first weeks with IIY, I visited the four schools where we offer tutoring and met many of our tutors, principals, and Invest in Youth school liaisons, which comprise our organizational team. Currently, my primary focus is to attend each of the board committee meetings and research potential grant opportunities. In addition to weekly staff meetings, I’m hoping to connect with community supporters who have helped make Invest in Youth a viable tutoring program for the past 14 years.

What brought you to this work?
I was intrigued by the challenge presented by IIY as it transitions from a grassroots
program led by an inspirational founder to a stand alone non profit with two paid part-time staff. When I saw how strong and committed the Board and Founder were to IIY’s work and mission, I was excited to be selected for this wonderful opportunity to take this organization to the next level.

What’s been most challenging in the job to date?
Due to ongoing help from IIY’s board members who assist with many of the daily organizational tasks, I have taken some time to figure out exactly how Invest in Youth’s first paid Executive Director fits into the puzzle. Certainly, during this time of transition, we have the ability to reevaluate what has worked well over the years as well as implement new ideas for the organization. As we complete our first year as an independent non-profit, (separate from the umbrella organization Alliance for Education) I will identify the areas that we need to strengthen and work with board members and staff to implement these needed processes. Harriett has been a fantastic resource and guide for me and I am delighted that IIY will continue to have her, the organization’s founder, involved at the board level.

What’s been most rewarding in the job to date?
By far the most rewarding experience since I arrived has been visiting the schools and witnessing the students’ excitement as their tutors arrive and they start working together. I was able to fill in for Program Director, Meredith Barrett, at Bailey Gatzert last week where I also tutored one of our students. It was great to experience first-hand the impact our program has on both the student and the tutor.

What’s your #1 goal for 2011?
I would like to establish lines of communication and processes with board committees, continue to define organizational systems and help secure a sound financial base. My long term vision is to continue working to establish IIY as a credible, growing non profit that is committed to tutoring at-risk youth while providing a rewarding experience for our volunteer tutors.

When Courtney is not working she spends time with her partner, Jennifer, who is a Family Medicine physician for Seattle-King County Public Health. Courtney and Jennifer are busy settling into the Northwest life by exploring Seattle’s many parks with their fabulous daughter Keegan. Also on their “to-do” list is to decide which of the many wonderful neighborhoods they will call home.