Pasadena Educational Foundation Names New Executive Director

The Pasadena Educational Foundation announces the appointment of Patrick Conyers as its executive director, effective January 1st.  Conyers, presently director of development for Southern California Public Radio (KPCC), succeeds Joan Fauvre, who is retiring on December 31st.  Serving for 16 years as its executive director and for 10 years before that as a member of its board, Fauvre has long been an integral part of the foundation’s work to support the public schools of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.

“My 26 years with the foundation have been a wonderful journey,” Fauvre says. “Working with the PUSD students, teachers, principals, staff and administrators and, of course, my own remarkable staff and board have kept me inspired and engaged in this work all these years. I’ve witnessed remarkable improvements in the schools and a huge increase in community engagement and support that I know will continue to grow with the foundation’s new leadership.”

Founded in 1971 as the first organization of its kind in California, the foundation last year raised a record $11 million-plus from individuals, corporations and government grants.  In the past 15 years the foundation has generated more than $90 million for PUSD students, teachers, principals and schools.  These funds have provided computers, after school programs, teacher training, science and math supplies, summer enrichment courses, field trips, technology, health care, college scholarships, musical instruments, arts programs and much more.

“Joan, the board, staff and volunteers of PEF have done a remarkable job raising both an awareness of the challenges our schools face and funds to help the PUSD meet those challenges,” says Conyers. “I’m humbled to have been chosen as Joan’s successor, and I intend to do everything possible to add to the great momentum she and the dedicated staff and board have built.”

As KPCC’s director of development, Conyers managed the completion of the radio station’s $27 million capital campaign, oversaw on-air pledge drives and membership efforts and managed all of the station’s fundraising-related events. He previously served as its major gifts officer. Before joining KPCC in early 2008, Conyers was director of development for the Pasadena Museum of History, where he helped develop curriculum for the PUSD’s My Masterpieces art program and where he serves as a trustee.  Conyers also serves as chair of the City of Pasadena’s Arts & Culture Commission, which oversees the City’s public art policy and the City’s relationship with area arts organizations and artists.  Conyers has a Ph.D. in European Economic History, an M.A. in European History, and a B.A. in History and Latin, all from the University of Iowa.

‘We are profoundly grateful to Joan for her remarkable dedication and for her enormous success in building community support for our public schools,” says PEF Board President George Brumder. “We will miss her, we thank her and we wish her well.  At the same time, we’re delighted that Patrick is stepping in as her successor.  We know he will do a wonderful job and attract even greater support for our public schools.’