When I co-founded the Institute for Educational Advancement over 25 years ago, I had no concept of just how much impact this organization would have on students, families, and the field of gifted education. Our 25^th anniversary gave me an opportunity to look back and celebrate the joys and the challenges that assisted in making 优蜜视频 a strong impactful organization.   

As we enter a new quarter century at 优蜜视频, I feel this is a good time to step away from my current role as President. Many have said that 优蜜视频 is like my baby, and in a way that is true. Building this organization that is filled with heart and a commitment to excellence is what makes us special. I could not be prouder of our accomplishments, and I am honored to have been a part of the lives of over 11,600 students. We could not have had this impact without the support of our ever-growing community. Over the years we have been fortunate to be surrounded by generous donors, volunteers, educators, families, and talented staff. All of you have meant a great deal to me personally and professionally. I shall forever be grateful.

The organization is strong and has tremendous promise for the future. Our staff is incredible! These mission driven team members are committed to impacting the lives of bright young people through our core programs, Academy, CDB and Yunasa. We are fortunate to be fiscally sound. We have a dedicated board that is eager to continue the charge. We have an advisory board of exceptional individuals with a great understanding of the needs of gifted youth. The organization is in good hands, and I am comforted with that knowledge.  

It has been such a privilege to be a part of this amazing place and I know that you all will join me in continuing to support the children we serve. We have hired a nationally recognized search firm, Morris & Berger to support our selection committee in identifying our new President. The board has asked that I continue to be available as a Senior Advisor for the next few years to support the successful transition. I have humbly accepted.  

This work has fed me intellectually and personally and I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you for being a part of our growth. As many said at our 25^th anniversary celebration, we have only just begun.  

With gratitude and excitement for the future, 

叠别迟蝉测听听

Read our Board Chair’s response to Betsy’s retirement.

Congratulations to 优蜜视频 on an amazing 25 years!  

I am so grateful to the many friends of 优蜜视频 from the Los Angeles area and beyond who joined us for this magical evening celebrating 优蜜视频鈥檚 founding 25 years ago.聽As guests arrived they enjoyed cocktails and delicious hors d鈥檕euvres, listened to live jazz piano and bid on silent auction items. The jubilant crowd included current and past board members, alumni, students, parents, educators and staff all excited to celebrate this major milestone for the organization. I want to extend a big shoutout to our talented EXPLORE students who displayed impressive research projects at the reception, as well as Ziv Bard, a current Caroline D. Bradley Scholar, who came all the way from the Magic Castle in Los Angeles to amaze and delight our guests with mesmerizing magic tricks.聽

The evening鈥檚 program kicked off with an enthusiastic welcome by Master of Ceremonies and 优蜜视频 parent, Chris Gialanella, President and Publisher of Los Angeles Magazine, followed by a special proclamation presentation honoring 优蜜视频鈥檚 25th anniversary from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger. A special highlight of the evening for me was when the audience applauded with heartfelt gratitude as Elizabeth 鈥淏etsy鈥� Jones, our 优蜜视频 President and Co-Founder, came to the podium. 

Betsy introduced fellow 优蜜视频 Co-Founder, Jim Davis and shared her memories of the beginnings of 优蜜视频. She recalled sitting at her kitchen table with Jim making plans to create a new organization to support gifted youth and all aspects of a gifted child鈥檚 educational and personal needs. Jim assisted Betsy at the podium in introducing the honorees and presenting awards. Honorees included past board chairs, including Jeff Hudson and Chris Newman, whose leadership and dedication to the organization have been instrumental in its continued success. Jim and Betsy surprised additional honorees Michael Piechowski, who was honored for his 22 years of service as a longtime Yunasa Senior Fellow, as well as 优蜜视频 co-founder Jim Davis, for his important role in founding and guiding the organization in its early years. Lastly, Jim and Betsy honored the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), represented by Karen Anderson, PUSD Arts and Enrichment Coordinator, for the important role it has played in helping 优蜜视频 serve hundreds of our local schoolchildren through a long history of program collaboration.

One of my favorite moments of the evening was the champagne toast to 优蜜视频’s 25^th anniversary made by Board Chair, Byron Lichtenstein, an alum of the inaugural Caroline D. Bradley Scholar Class of 2002 and part of the first group of Yunasa campers. Byron shared his memories of finding 优蜜视频 as a 12-year-old and how it changed his life. The crowd raised their glasses in unison to toast the amazing accomplishments of the past 25 years and to look forward to the next 25. The surprises kept coming as Jeff Hudson presented Betsy with a special proclamation from the City of Pasadena that had been signed by Pasadena mayor, Victor Gordo, and a terrific video presentation was shown featuring 优蜜视频 children and community members sharing their gratitude to 优蜜视频 and wishing 优蜜视频 a happy 25th Anniversary.  

In addition to celebrating 25 years, the event raised funds which will support need-based tuition assistance, program implementation and community partnerships. A big thank you to current Caroline D. Bradley Scholar, Matthew Chang, and MC Chris Gialanella, who led the successful 鈥淔und-a-Future” live auction. I am so grateful to all of our 优蜜视频 friends who generously supported the event by making donations, purchasing tickets and silent auction items or volunteering. And a big thank you to the 优蜜视频 team for their tireless efforts organizing the event. It was a remarkable team effort. One of the things I hear expressed most when I talk to students, parents, alumni is how lucky they feel to have found 优蜜视频 because it has made such a difference in their lives. I feel lucky too, and I am very proud to be a part of this organization. Here鈥檚 to the next 25, 50, 75 years, and beyond! 

Jane Laudeman 

Development Manager 

Institute for Educational Advancement 

PASADENA, CA 鈥� 09/26/2023 鈥� The Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频), a national nonprofit dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation鈥檚 gifted and advanced learners, celebrated its 25^th anniversary with a Celebration Gala. The event, which was hosted at the San Gabriel Country Club, on Sept. 23, 2023 honored the individuals and organizations that support 优蜜视频 and raised funds to continue the nonprofit鈥檚 important work.

At the Celebration Gala, 优蜜视频 presented the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) with an award for their partnership and dedication to the children in the community. PUSD has been a longtime partner of 优蜜视频. From 1999-2010, the organizations ran a pilot program called Pipeline to Success that provided gifted middle and high school students in PUSD with enrichment classes, Personal Education Plans, and other services, and stressed strong relationships among students, teachers, parents, Program Coordinators and enrichment teachers. Most recently, PUSD tapped 优蜜视频 to deliver free, high-quality gifted and talented services for eligible students. Last year, over 130 students in grades 3-8 benefited from the 优蜜视频-lead curriculum.

优蜜视频 also honored co-founder, James Davis, past board chairs including Jennifer Burke, Jeffrey Hudson and Chris Newman for their leadership and Michael M. Piechowski for his longtime role as a Yunasa Fellow and incredible 22 years of service to gifted students.

鈥淛im and I wanted to create an organization to provide stimulating, rigorous programs that would address the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of advanced learners, while providing educators with tools and best practices to support the unique needs of gifted learners,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, president and co-founder, Institute for Educational Advancement.

Recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 leading organizations supporting the needs of gifted youth, 优蜜视频 is one of the only nonprofit organizations providing a robust array of services in Los Angeles County. The nonprofit offers enrichment classes and learning opportunities, teacher trainings, consulting services, support groups, summer camps and scholarships for gifted learners. Since its inception in 1998, 优蜜视频 has supported over 11,000 students.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the Celebration Gala included dinner and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. For more information about 优蜜视频鈥檚 programs and services, visit

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation鈥檚 gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of 优蜜视频 is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. 优蜜视频 seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, 优蜜视频 supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit .

###