FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INCOMING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Putnam City Schools Foundation, a local non-profit which enhances and enriches educational opportunities for children and families in the Putnam City school district, is pleased to announce the hiring of Alyx Picard as the organization’s new executive director.
“We interviewed excellent candidates for the executive director position, but Alyx really stood out to the interview committee for her understanding of the importance of seeking every stakeholder’s voice and that engaging our community at all levels is vital to our success in supporting our children and families,” says Jessica Sherrill, PCF Board Chair. “She comes to the Foundation with valuable non-profit experience and a dedicated passion to support Putnam City Schools. We are thrilled to welcome her!”
An alum of Putnam City Schools and PC North graduate, Alyx has been engaged in local nonprofit leadership for more than a decade. She started her career in administration at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM@UCO) and went on to wear several hats at deadCenter Film, from volunteer to programming coordinator to Festival director to executive director. She currently also serves as President of the national board of the Film Festival Alliance, a nonprofit for film festivals and the people who run them. Alyx graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BA in English-Creative Studies and still writes and consults on independent projects from time to time.
“It’s an honor to return to the Putnam City community and have the opportunity to listen and contribute to the ongoing needs of the public school district that I directly benefited from,” says Picard. “Through direct grants, the rapidly growing CAST program, and creative thinking, the Foundation provides funding and solutions that strengthen the entire PC district. I am overjoyed to support Putnam City’s teachers, students, and their families with our work!”
Picard will build on the strong foundation laid by her predecessor, Jennifer Seal, who departed in June to pursue new opportunities. As part of her tenure, Jennifer established Community and Schools Together (CAST), winner of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s 2021 Outstanding Program Award for Oklahoma School Foundations, increased monthly Yes! Grants to teachers, and met needs district-wide as part of the Foundation’s pandemic response. The board is grateful for her leadership and excited for the future of the organization under her successor.
July 21, 2022
