William Penn Foundation Names Jennifer Stavrakos Director of Great Learning

PHILADELPHIA (January 24, 2024) – The William Penn Foundation announced today the appointment of Jennifer Stavrakos as Director of Great Learning. In this position, Jennifer is leading the Great Learning program’s revision and will lead the newly designed program.

Prior to this appointment, Jennifer Stavrakos was a Senior Program Officer and the Interim Program Director of Great Learning with a grantmaking portfolio focused on family engagement and advocacy. While Interim Program Director, Stavrakos oversaw more than $30 million in annual grantmaking to build evidence, improve quality, and expand service to yield long-lasting educational improvements for children.

“Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and working relationships with current grantees to this role,” said Shawn McCaney, Executive Director of the William Penn Foundation. “She will continue to have an important impact on the strategy revision taking place at the Foundation, as we look to better support children’s learning and development in the years ahead.”

Before joining the William Penn Foundation, Jennifer Stavrakos served as an Officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts overseeing grantmaking for children, youth, and families in the Philadelphia region and previously was the Director of Replication and Expansion for Public/Private Ventures working on home visiting and literacy programs locally and nationally.

“I look forward to leading the Foundation’s efforts to ensure that every family in Philadelphia is able to support their children’s successful early learning and development,” said Jennifer Stavrakos. “It is a privilege and a joy to work with my Great Learning colleagues and the Foundation's staff, board, and grantees to build on the successes and lessons learned from our past decade as we explore ways to further our commitment to Philadelphia’s children and families.”