AEF Executive Director Vicki Sedlack Retiring

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring by the end of this school year.

I have been with AEF for 15 years and working here has been my passion. I love supporting education and I love the huge impact we make on Alameda students every single day. I have been so lucky to have my passion and my job be the same thing.

AEF has an incredible board and staff, so it is a good time to begin the transition into retirement for me and new leadership for AEF.

When I came to AEF in 2009 to volunteer, I never imagined it would be more than just a few hours a week helping out an organization that I had always admired (and even served on the board of in the early 2000s). Somehow, within a few days I found myself serving as Athletic Director for the newly launched Middle School Sports program that AEF had taken over from AUSD. I quickly learned things I never thought I would need to know, like how to create a basketball schedule and run a track meet. But it showed us how well AEF could impact educational opportunities via effective program management. In 2014 I accepted the role of Executive Director. Working for a small but mighty organization has meant doing a little bit of everything, from those basketball schedules to strategic planning to budgeting to policy development to cooking chili (for a fundraiser). There has never been a dull moment, but I have loved the challenges and never been bored!

Back in 2009, AEF was much smaller and had a few budget woes. In fact, the Treasurer, who inauspiciously had the last name Grimm, would give us the good, the bad, and the ugly news as to whether our doors would stay open 6 months, 3 months, or 1 month. But we had a team who believed in the potential of AEF. We got to work, strengthening our strategic partnership with AUSD, forging positive relationships with community businesses and nonprofits, expanding our program offerings, and diversifying our board with members representing a wide range of experiences and attributes. We applied the motto of “always improve.” And we never lost our focus on equity.

Within just a couple years, we had more than tripled the amount of program services we offered and went from a deficit budget to building reserves.

Those reserves came in handy when COVID hit in the spring of 2020. We not only weathered that storm on sound financial footing but took advantage of the pause in programming to improve our focus on equity. We developed a new Purpose Statement to more clearly identify our mission. We made important program changes and additions, including switching from a donor-centered mini grant program to one that was need-based and adding the ‘Art Changes’ visual arts program to provide art lessons that could be done online during COVID and in the classroom afterwards.

We grew our Enrichment program, producing record enrollment and increasing access for students at lower-income schools or who have special needs. We added technology support to provide hot spots for families without broadband and we prioritized mental health care support for AUSD students, staff and families. These are just some of the many programs and supports AEF provides for our school community.

I believe AEF is stronger than ever today. We augment the work being done by our school district and help make Alameda such a desirable community to live in. I believe public education strengthens our democracy, increases engagement, and provides a brighter future for our children.

I want to thank all those who have been with me and this wonderful organization on this journey – our incredible staff, talented board, nonprofit partners, local businesses, civic leaders, AUSD and, of course, all of our community donors and supporters.

Sincerely,

Vicki Sedlack
Executive Director
Alameda Education Foundation

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this open position, please click here.