A proven executive with more than two decades of executive experience at the intersection of public education, business, and civic engagement will take the helm of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, the Consortium announced today.
Amity Schuyler will begin her role as President & CEO effective July 1. She will succeed current CEO Mary Chance, who is retiring after leading the Consortium through 17 years of significant growth.
Schuyler, currently Chief Innovation Officer for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce and previously Deputy Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Education, was selected following a competitive national search that drew more than 370 candidates.
“Amity Schyler stood out as a dynamic, visionary leader whose track record of building partnerships and driving innovation makes her the perfect choice to lead the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations into the future,” said Jennifer Vigne, President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, and chair of the CEO search task force. “We are thrilled to welcome her as our next leader, building upon Mary Chance’s incredible legacy, and look forward to the inspiring new chapter ahead under her leadership.”
The Consortium represents the local education foundations aligned with nearly all of Florida’s public school districts. Collectively, Consortium members raise $100 million annually for locally driven initiatives and serve 98% of the state’s K-12 students. Local education foundations work with donors and other partners to help teachers through grants and other resources, fostering better student outcomes that make Florida’s communities stronger.
The Consortium also manages the nation’s only dollar-for-dollar legislative match for private investments in classroom innovation through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.
Under Mary Chance’s leadership beginning in July 2008, the Consortium has dramatically expanded its scope and impact, forging new partnerships with national business and philanthropic organizations to innovate classroom learning, strengthen college and career-readiness for students, and empower educators through grants and professional development support.
Schuyler rose to the top of the field of applicants because of her impressive track record, dynamic leadership, and visionary approach. Before her leadership roles in Memphis and Tennessee, she served in Florida as Chief of Staff for the Palm Beach County School District and Director of Strategic Communications for the School District of Lee County. She also developed nonprofit leadership and public policy skills as CEO of Drug Free Charlotte, leading the organization for a decade. Her first job was as a classroom teacher.
“Throughout my career, I have championed fund development, collaboration, innovative problem-solving, and sustainable policy solutions to drive systemic progress, primarily in Florida,” said Schuyler. “The work of the Consortium is not just meaningful, but deeply personal.
