La Cañada Educational Foundation executive director to step down
Deborah Weirick, executive director of the La Cañada Educational Foundation, recently announced her plans to step down in June after four years in the position and five more on the foundation’s board of directors.
The La Cañada resident and mother of two said with her son and daughter now at the high-school age she simply felt the time was right to move on to a new venture, likely in the field of nonprofit communications and development.
“It’s been a great run, but I’m just ready to do something else,” Weirick said Monday. “I wanted to do this with plenty of time to make sure I left the foundation in good shape and in good hands.”
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News of the leader’s imminent departure comes just week’s after the foundation’s 25th Annual Spring Gala on March 5, which raised a collective $550,000. Each year, via various fundraising efforts, the LCFEF earns roughly $2 million in support of La Cañada Unified Schools.
The funds go toward elementary class-size reduction, guidance and college counselors at La Cañada High School, technology equipment and infrastructure, fine arts programs and other initiatives.
In a statement issued Monday, LCFEF President Stephanie Fossan said Weirick had made great strides in strengthening community awareness of the foundation’s mission, while maintaining and growing important relationships with donors, school families and school district officials and representatives.
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Fossan announced the organization is seeking Weirick’s replacement and is particularly interested in local applicants who have a working knowledge of the La Cañada community.
“While the void Deborah will leave will not be small, we are determined to find someone who can fit in well, and as soon as possible, to ensure that we have a smooth transition,” she said.
Weirick reflected fondly on her years in the position, expressing hope her successor would appreciate the many positive attributes of working with the foundation.
“I love this organization,” she said. “I have a five-minute commute, wonderful colleagues and co-workers and a dedicated school board and administrators. It’s been a wonderful experience. (And) I think there’s a lot of room for new ideas.”
A description of the executive director position can be found online at lcfef.org.
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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
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