ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Education Foundation is staffed by 2.0 paid staff members:
The Executive Director reports directly to the President of the Education Foundation and is responsible for the day to day management and supervision of all activities approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director’s duties include the promotion of the Foundation’s mission, the management of all fiscal aspects of the foundation including development, recruitment and facilitation of the Board of Directors, coordination of all administrative duties including working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Express and QuickBooks.

The current Executive Director, Cynthia Falardeau, holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College, Albion Michigan. Previously she worked for Jacobson’s Stores and Federated Department Stores in various Assistant Store Manager Positions. Her human resources and financial management experience have served her well in her current position, as well as, in various volunteer community positions. Mrs. Falardeau is a past President of the Junior League of Indian River County, a Valued Visits Family Visitation Board Member (part of the Exchange Club C.A.S.T.L.E),  and a Habitat for Humanity Food Angel volunteer. Presently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and th Autism Society of the Treasure Coast. She has been a member of the Vero Beach community for over 14 years and is well connected with local business and civic leaders.

The Program Coordinator Mary Miner assists the Executive Director in all operational programming and fundraising duties. The Program Coordinator assists with the daily QuickBooks and Fundraiser software program operations. Mrs. Miner is a long time resident of Indian River County and an active volunteer. She served on the Sneaker Exchange Committee for 8 years before joining the Foundation four years ago.

In addition a volunteer Board of Directors is made up of 18 community leaders who represent a wide variety of business and organizations within our county. Members meet monthly and serve on various committees. They serve on one of the four strategic planning committees: Programs, Finance, Marketing or People. In addition they serve on sub-committees that help manage programs and facilitate fundraising efforts.

Over 500 volunteers facilitate and administer the Foundation’s five core programs. Volunteers are recruited by board members, stakeholders and program committee members. Volunteers give their time to serve on fundraising committees and program committees. For example, the Indian River Regional Science and Engineering Fair program uses volunteers to organize the events and activities leading up to the regional fair.