Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Appoints New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation has appointed Dr. Renée T. Willis as the Foundation's new Executive Director. Dr. Willis will begin her tenure on January 8, 2024. "Dr. Willis is a transformational leader," said Anne Juster, MHJF's Board Chair. "Her intelligence, judgment, and vision will significantly improve the quality of K-12 education throughout the state. She is a skilled communicator who will excel as the face and spokesperson of the Foundation."
When accepting the position, Dr. Willis remarked, “I am humbled to have been chosen to lead the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. As an Ohio public school product, teacher, and administrator, I look forward to continuing the vision that Martha Holden Jennings had for supporting Ohio’s PK-12 public school students and educators.”
A Cleveland native and a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools, Dr. Willis earned a Doctorate in Urban Education from Cleveland State University, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Baldwin-Wallace College, and B.S. in Mathematics from Spelman College. She served as the Superintendent of Richmond Heights Local Schools for the past 10 years. Her career in public education began over 30 years ago as a teacher, and later, as a principal in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. Prior to her work in Richmond Heights, Dr. Willis served in senior leadership roles with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, with the last position being Chief Strategic Implementation Officer.
We look forward to introducing this talented leader to Ohio educators as well as our educational partners throughout the state in upcoming weeks. Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue our work as a thought leader, connector, and avid supporter of deep learning and excellent teaching in Ohio.
Dr. Willis has been highlighted in Crain’s Cleveland Business New Faces in New Places issue and was interviewed on Ashland University’s Take the Lead Podcast - click links below to read and listen.
Renee T. Willis | New Faces in New Places 2023 | Crain's Cleveland Business
crainscleveland.com
Take The Lead - Dr. Renee Willis, Executive Director, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation by Take The Lead: An Ashland University Professional Learning Podcast
