The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County has announced the hiring of a new chief executive officer who has deep ties in the world of early learning and nonprofits serving children.
Alison Fraga will formally take the helm on September 29 after stepping down as chief development officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, one of the largest ELCs in the state.
In her current role, Fraga serves on the leadership team reporting directly to the CEO and oversees all communication, branding, community engagement, key stakeholder and strategic partnership development, and development efforts, according to the ELC of Sarasota.
Among her accomplishments was securing more than $2 million in annual grant funding while also leading outreach and programming strategies to support kindergarten readiness and early childhood programs.
“Alison is an embodiment of the qualities that both our community and board of directors envisioned for the next Chief Executive,” said ELC Board Chair Kevin Cooper. “As a proven ‘families-first’ leader, she masterfully blends the right mix of passion, compassion and creativity needed to transform service delivery to and from our providers in Sarasota County.”
Fraga becomes only the second CEO in the ELC’s 23-year history – replacing founding CEO Janet Kahn, who retired earlier this year. She was recommended to the ELC’s board of directors by a Transition & Search Committee made up of community stakeholders that included heads of local early child care providers as well as members of area foundations.
She and her husband, Alex, plan to relocate to the area in the coming months.
“Sarasota County is well known and regarded for many things, but its commitment to early childhood education and family support stands at or above the rest,” Fraga said. “I’m thrilled to join a team and a community that works tirelessly to ensure that families and providers are given the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.”
This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New CEO chosen to head Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County
Reporting by Saundra Amrhein, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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