Farewell

The Education Foundation of Indian River County (Education Foundation) was founded in 1991 by Mrs. Marion Block, Ms. Alma Lee Loy, and Mr. Dan Richardson. Over the past 33 years, the Education Foundation has worked diligently to address the educational needs in our community. The Indian River Regional Science & Engineering Fair, STEP into K, Sneaker Exchange, and High-Impact Teacher Grants programs are but a few of the programs successfully implemented over the course of its history. This proud history of bridging the educational gap and providing all students the opportunities that best prepare them to fulfill their dreams is reinforced by the district’s rapid and sustained improvement under Superintendent Dr. Moore’s leadership. 

For the first time, the School District of Indian River Count (SDIRC) made the state’s top ten list across multiple categories and earned the distinction of “Most Improved School District” since 2018. This success and the need to sustain that momentum afford our community a unique moment in time to create the SDIRC’s first Direct Support Organization. This statutorily defined nonprofit organization will raise dollars to support the SDIRC’s strategic priorities.

For the past several months, the Education Foundation Board of Directors has considered how best to support this new organization. Ultimately, we concluded that our school community would be best served by having a single vehicle for private sector contributions. As a result, the Education Foundation is ceasing operations, and The Indian River Education Fund will launch later this Spring.

We want to thank all Education foundation past and present board members, staff, and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to our Vision and Mission. Moreover, we want to thank the teachers, principals and district staff for all of their sacrifices and giving our students the capacity to dream big. Last but not least, we want to thank our donors and community partners for their support of our mission throughout the years. The Education Foundation doors are closing, but the positive impact and transformative stories will echo in eternity.

We invite you to stay tuned for more from The Indian River Education Fund

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Laica Gerwien-Moreta

Laica Gerwien-Moreta is a dynamic contracting professional who has previously held leadership roles within various defense contractors supporting domestic and international operations as well as medical management solutions and humanitarian programs. Laica is a seasoned compliance professional who works with senior functional leaders to ensure business-critical trade compliance infrastructure and resources are prioritized as part of the broader program requirements. Laica has served as an Empowered Official overseeing International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) exports as well as the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related activities and has been responsible for the strategic alignment of contractor resources and staffing in support of global supply chain. Laica holds a bachelor’s degree in technical management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and professional certification in government contracting from The George Washington University, School of Business.

She is a member of the board of the Gifford Youth Orchestra, a member of the National Contract Management Association Space Coast Chapter, and regularly participates in professional development training. Laica and her husband are passionate about helping disadvantaged youth in our community and promoting the health, welfare, and education of children through their philanthropy.