San Ramon Valley Education Foundation Selects New Executive Director

From SRVEF: The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation’s (SRVEF) Board of Directors has selected longtime San Ramon Valley volunteer and education advocate Vanessa R. Berastain as its new Executive Director. Vanessa replaces Cristene Burr who led the organization for the past eight years and left this summer to take the position of President/CEO of Junior Achievement, Northern California.

Vanessa joins SRVEF as a recent past president of the largest Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in Northern California -- the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs. After her two year presidency ended in 2015, she took on the role of the Council’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee. She has over 20 years of managerial experience in the private sector and over 20 years of experience in various fundraising positions at elementary, middle, and high school levels.

“As San Ramon Valley Education Foundation evolves into an exciting new chapter of impact and innovation, we are thrilled to welcome Vanessa Berastain as our new Executive Director,” said Colin Zink, President of San Ramon Valley Education Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Building upon its trademark properties including The Run for Education and Imagineering, its beyond-school STEAM enrichment program, the Board of Directors looks forward to collaborating with Vanessa as it leads the Foundation in investing in a world class educational experience for all the children of the San Ramon Valley."

Over the years, Vanessa has developed a reputation as a community organizer who is trusted and beloved. She has done extensive work with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and the community, including working with the City of San Ramon by hosting a Multicultural Festival during the 15th Annual Art in the Park Event and as part of the Steering Committee for San Ramon 150’s anniversary. She is also a Leadership San Ramon Valley Alumni, Class of 2016.

“I am honored for the opportunity to work with the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation Board of Directors in leading an organization that has such a positive impact on the education of our youth,” Vanessa said. “I look forward to continuing my work with the parents, staff and community members who together make such a difference in the lives of our children.”

The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation is the primary fundraising organization working in partnership with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to provide financial support and promote public education in our community. Together, with its 34 local school affiliate education and learning fundraising organizations, they collectively raise and donate over $7 million to the SRVUSD each academic year.

The SRVEF has relationships with individual donors, local merchants, local service clubs and corporate sponsors and connects its interest in supporting public education with programs that impact children directly among each of the thirty four elementary, middle, and high schools within the SRVUSD. The Foundation’s largest fundraising event is the annual Run for Education held each October in the San Ramon Valley.

Image Via Pixabay