PASADENA, CA – 02/20/2024 – The (������Ƶ), a national nonprofit dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and advanced learners, has announced the upcoming retirement of its president and co-founder, Elizabeth Jones. Jones will remain in her current position until a new president has been hired and will then transition to a senior advisor role to support leadership and the Board of Directors.

Since the nonprofit’s founding in 1998, ������Ƶ has become a pillar in the gifted education community as a place focused on the whole gifted child. Now recognized as one of the nation’s leading thought leadership organizations supporting the needs of gifted youth, ������Ƶ offers enrichment classes and learning opportunities, teacher trainings, consulting services, support groups, summer camps and scholarships for gifted learners. Over 12,000 students have benefited from the organization’s work.

“As we enter a new quarter century at ������Ƶ, the organization is strong and has tremendous promise for the future,” said Elizabeth Jones, president and co-founder, Institute for Educational Advancement. “Building this organization that is filled with heart and a commitment to excellence is what makes us special. I am proud of our accomplishments, am honored to have been a part of the lives of so many gifted students and am grateful for the support of our ever-growing community.” 

Giftedness exists in every demographic of society and is often overlooked and underfunded in many education systems. Jones created ������Ƶ to fill that gap and be a resource for families and educators alike. Under her guidance, ������Ƶ advocated for gifted education locally and nationally and commissioned the first-ever national survey assessing the American public’s views on gifted education. This research continues to influence national policy and is used by organizations across the U.S. in advocating for gifted youth. ������Ƶ operates 

With the support of ������Ƶ’s Board of Directors, Advisory board and staff, Morris & Berger, an executive search firm with a specialty practice that reaches across the nonprofit sector, will seek a new president to continue the nonprofit’s mission of meeting the unique needs of gifted children, their families and educators and overseeing the organization’s business needs and fiscally sound operating budget. 

“Since Elizabeth founded ������Ƶ, we have stayed true to our mission of serving gifted youth, exponentially growing our flagship programs: our Academy enrichment classes, our Award-winning Yunasa Summer Camp, and our unique Caroline D. Bradley merit-based high school scholarship,” said Byron Lichtenstein, ������Ƶ Board Chair. “������Ƶ has served gifted children with passion and dedication. I know, because I am one of those young people. We on the board, our community, and the field of gifted education are indebted to Elizabeth for her engagement and the organization’s success.” 

Qualified candidates are invited to online and apply here: .

For more information about ������Ƶ’s programs and services, visit .

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (������Ƶ) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of ������Ƶ 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. ������Ƶ seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, ������Ƶ supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit .

Contact

Kat Kirsch

Institute for Educational Advancement

(626) 403-8900 or kkirsch@educationaladvancement.org

I write today with bittersweet news. After more than 25 years of incredible service, Betsy Jones has decided to begin her transition from President of ������Ƶ to Senior Advisor starting later this year. While we as a board will miss Betsy’s daily leadership of the organization, we are greatly supportive of her decision and excited for her well-deserved next phase. We are proud and grateful for the work and accomplishments she has made as Co-Founder and President of ������Ƶ and are humbled by the opportunity to shepherd and grow this organization through the next 25+ years of serving our community.  

Since 1993, ������Ƶ has served 11,600 gifted children with passion and dedication. Our programs touch and change lives both locally and nationally, are award-winning in their field, and unique in their approach to serving all parts of a gifted child’s being. Our research continues to influence policy nationally, and to be used by organizations across the US to advocate for gifted youth. As we journey ahead, Betsy has built an unparalleled platform on which to evolve and scale to reach even more children. She will remain deeply committed to ensuring we accomplish our mission of holistically supporting each child in our community.  

I have known Betsy for 21 years since I became a Caroline D Bradley scholar in 2002. I will personally miss Betsy’s everyday presence, and I know I am not alone. While this is a big change for the organization, ������Ƶ is blessed by talented and long-tenured ������Ƶ staff, an Advisory Board that is deeply embedded within the gifted ecosystem, and a Board of Directors composed of individuals that have known and served ������Ƶ together for decades. We have known about and planned for this day and have already been working with Betsy to set up the structures necessary for new leadership to be successful.  

The Board of Directors is committed to making this a smooth transition. We have hired Morris & Berger, a nationally recognized, Pasadena-based search firm that specializes in non-profits and educational institutions. They will work with the board search committee which is made up of experienced and passionate board members. Betsy will remain in her current role until the next President officially starts. We have also asked Betsy to continue to work with us as Senior Advisor to the new leadership and the organization.  

Please join us in wishing Betsy well in this next phase—we are deeply grateful for her inspirational leadership and her impact on the lives of thousands of students.  

Sincerely, 

Byron Lichtenstein 

Board Chair, Institute for Educational Advancement  

Read Betsy’s letter announcing her retirement.