I am grateful for the opportunity to return to the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) as the Executive Director.

I was first introduced to CSF in 2012 when I joined the staff. I spent five years as Scholarship Director getting to see first-hand the impact of the Carson Scholars Fund. I remember fondly my first scholarship banquet. Watching the hundreds of Carson Scholars during the processional and seeing their loved ones beam with pride was a truly magical moment.

During my time at CSF, I was fortunate to work closely with Amy Warner and the incredible CSF staff. Together we were able to grow the scholarship program, expanding in new areas and strengthening our commitment in areas we already served. We implemented innovative technologies, opened new reading rooms, and hosted successful event fundraisers, all while having fun along the way. The fierce commitment to the mission and warm, welcoming CSF community is what made my time at the organization so memorable. It now feels like coming home to rejoin the organization.

I have spent the last five years working in development and alumni relations at Johns Hopkins University. My time away from CSF has allowed me to learn as a leader, become an experienced relationship builder and has prepared me well to advance our rewarding work of discovering promise and rewarding excellence.

To date, the Carson Scholars Program has awarded over 11,000 scholarships across the country and paid out over $9 million to colleges and universities on behalf of our scholars. The Ben Carson Reading Project has established 271 reading rooms serving students in 23 states and Washington, DC. While these impressive accomplishments were decades in the making, I know that this is just the beginning of the impact we can make.

As we deepen our commitment and strengthen our impact on our nation’s youth, I know that strategy alone will not get us to our goal of having a Carson Scholar in every school in the country. It is the community – our steadfast and visionary co-founders Dr. and Mrs. Carson, dedicated board of directors, generous donors, hardworking staff, inspirational scholars, and committed educators, volunteers, and community members – that will help make this vision a reality.

The Carson Scholars Fund has a future as bright as our scholars. I look forward to shining that light on the community and together making a difference where it matters most – the future of our youth. I am honored to be in this role and appreciate your support of the Carson Scholars Fund.