Bay Area Leadership Foundation Names Marcy Straw as Executive Director

OAKLAND, Calif., July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Area Leadership Foundation is pleased to announce Marcy Straw as its new Executive Director. Straw will oversee day-to-day operations, strategic direction, and revenue generation for the foundation, which has been paving the path to college for underserved Bay Area youth since 2001.

"Marcy Straw brings tremendous depth, expertise and leadership ability to the Foundation," said Dr. Joe Ovick, Chairman of the BALF board and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. "She will help us ensure that BALF delivers on its mission to the community and grows to reach even more underserved youth."

Straw brings more than twenty years of experience in the corporate and non-profit sectors in executive leadership and management roles, as well as ten years of experience as a successful entrepreneur.  She comes to BALF from Pacific Environment, an environmental justice not-for-profit where she served as deputy director for development and operations.  

Straw began her career as a sales manager for a variety of international cosmetics and personal care brands.  She also spent over ten years in the music business as the owner of a consulting and artist management firm.  She holds a degree in Business from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA, and is currently completing her MBA.

"I am excited and honored to join BALF, and to work with young people to help them realize their potential," said Straw.  "This organization serves an increasingly vital need in our communities.  John F. Kennedy once said that leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.  I look forward to building the Foundation's capacity and resources to ensure that deserving young people can achieve both their leadership and learning goals."

Media Contact:
Mike Clinebell
925-790-2639
[email protected]

About The Bay Area Leadership Foundation

The Bay Area Leadership Foundation (BALF) teams students and parents with business, civic and community leaders to support the positive development of young adults in impoverished communities. BALF offers college preparedness programs, mentoring and financial support to help underserved students strive for, and realize, their dreams of attending college.  The foundation's goal reaches beyond college graduation rates – it encourages students to return to their communities, as leaders, to give back and help others. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.eblf.org

SOURCE Bay Area Leadership Foundation