FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA. – Earlier today, Preface announced the promotion and strategic elevation of several members of its senior leadership team, in a move designed to position the organization for even stronger growth in 2022 and beyond.
In unanimous votes by the Preface Board of Directors, Chief Financial Officer Antigone “Tiggy” Valen and Chief Operating Officer David Via have been named Co-Presidents of the organization, in addition to their existing titles, effective immediately.
Longtime Preface advisors Dr. Wandy Taylor, Heather Phillips, and Julianna Vitolo have also been appointed to the Preface Board of Directors and will also retain their previous organizational titles. Additionally, Hayes Vaughan, a Senior Accountant at Carr Riggs & Ingram, has been appointed to the Board of Directors and will serve as Organizational Treasurer.
Concurrently, Founder & Executive Director, Jonathan “JT” Wu, will shift to a non-voting and non-executive role as Strategic Director, chairing Preface’s newly created Strategic Advisory Council and providing supporting guidance as requested by the Board of Directors. Joining him on the new body as Strategic Advisors will be founding board members Mary Helen deGolian and Taylor Brown.
“It’s been an honor to be among the founders of Preface and to work with such an amazing group of educators, organizers, and volunteers,” said newly appointed Co-President and Chief Operating Officer, David Via. “Together, we built a sustainable and proven model of early childhood education that eases the pressure on teachers and reinforces a community environment that so many have been without. It is a privilege of mine to be continuing JT’s vision with Preface’s own Tiggy Valen, as we continue to revolutionize the field of Early Childhood Education.”
“The work we have done has set the stage for all we are about to accomplish, bringing as many resources as we can to as many children as we can,” Via continued. “I look forward to reaching our goal together with Tiggy, our Board, and all of our Preface volunteers, Ambassadors, educators, partners across America!”
“It has been a tremendous honor to have founded and grown Preface with JT and the team since our start almost three years ago,” said newly appointed Co-President and Chief Financial Officer, Antigone “Tiggy” Valen. “I couldn’t be more excited to continue this impact with David, as we tackle educational equality and access in the early childhood space. In another year full of uncertainty, hearing moments of personal triumph — small or large — from both Ambassadors and young students has been an indispensable highlight. I look forward to channeling all we’ve learned from our fearless educators, volunteers, and communities around the country and beyond during 2022.”
“From the beginning, our team at Preface deliberately designed our organization to be a self-sustaining initiative that’s bigger than any one person or idea – fueled by the passion of our leadership team but ultimately customizable and deliverable at a highly localized level with our partners on the ground,” concluded Founder & now-Strategic Director, Jonathan “JT” Wu. “It’s been an honor to work with Tiggy, David, and our entire leadership team to help Preface grow from a one-community pilot program in our home of Gwinnett County to a truly national movement – and I’m so excited for this next stage in the continued development of the Preface model and mission! I’m looking forward to continuing to support them as they shepherd Preface to even greater heights – fighting for a world where Equality Through Education is achievable for every child and guided by our core values of Literacy, Community, and Opportunity.”
About Preface:
Founded in 2019, Preface is a public-private philanthropic initiative dedicated to fostering Equality Through Education and early childhood literacy - often with a multilingual twist! Partnering with educators and community leaders, Preface empowers local high schoolers to give back to their communities and bridge opportunity gaps by fostering literacy among young students of all backgrounds. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, Preface is proudly headquartered in Gwinnett County, Georgia and serves communities across America. Learn more at www.PrefaceProject.org.
For further inquiries, contact:
Devon Naftzger
Chief Marketing Officer
Cameron Brake
External Engagement Liaison
Preface Public Relations
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