Leonard brings more than three decades of non-profit, public and private sector experience to the organization
Jamaica Plain, MA (June 6, 2018) – Nurtury, New England’s first early childhood care center and preschool, today announced that Mary Kay Leonard has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed Wayne Ysaguirre, who has served as CEO of Nurtury for the past 10 years.
Leonard, who has served in the non-profit, public and private sector for more than 30 years, will lead Nurtury, providing strategic counsel and overall planning and management for the organization. She will also play a pivotal role in the search for Nurtury’s next CEO.
“Mary Kay’s leadership skills and deep expertise in the non-profit sector will be invaluable to Nurtury while she serves as interim CEO,” said Wayne Ysaguirre. “Mary Kay will help ensure Nurtury maintains its strong position for continued growth and she has always been an advocate of Nurtury’s mission to helping children reach their full potential.”
Mary Kay began her career in state government as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Office for Children which regulated more than 12,000 child and youth service programs. She helped to shape public policy for state agencies as Chief Counsel to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services. Prior to creating her own consulting practice focused on helping companies during times of change, Leonard served as President and CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a national non-profit organization providing research and consultation to foundations, businesses, and governments. She also had nearly a decade of experience serving as Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO of the United Way serving Boston as well as the leader of Investor Relations for United Way Worldwide.
“I’m honored to serve as interim CEO of Nurtury,” said Mary Kay Leonard. “I have always had a deep commitment to helping children reach their potential and I’m so proud to join Nurtury – an organization whose mission and values are helping our youngest children build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.”
Mary Kay Leonard will begin her role as interim CEO on July 2 and will serve the organization until the new CEO of Nurtury has been selected.
About Nurtury
Nurtury is a pioneer in early childhood education and has played an integral role during its 140-year history in shaping public early education policy to raise standards in the field of education nationally and in New England. Nurtury’s mission is to help Greater Boston’s youngest children reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.
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