Managing Director, Public-Philanthropic Partnership Initiative

Stephanie Powers is Managing Director for the Council on Foundations’ Public-Philanthropic Partnership Initiative. Ms. Powers came to the Council on Foundations with an extensive background in employment and training programs and policy at the national, State, and local levels.  Prior to joining the Council in September of 2007, she provided executive leadership for two national associations, the National Apartment Association’s Education Institute (NAAEI) and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) during the period 2002– 2007.  She was the Clinton Administration’s  Director of the National School to Work Office in the US Departments of Labor and Education from 1998 – 2001, and prior to that held positions in the Employment and Training Administration (US Department of Labor) from 1993-1998 as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary and Director of Communications and Public Information.

Ms. Powers came to Washington in 1993 from New Hampshire where she spent her career there in human services, educational, and workforce development programs.  In the late 80’s, she managed statewide federal demonstration projects at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, specifically school to work transition for students with disabilities and special education reform projects in partnership with the NH State Department of Education and many New Hampshire public schools.

Other accomplishments included the start-up of a transitional employment company for people with severe disabilities; workforce development consultation to the State of NH to support the historic closure of the state facility for mentally retarded individuals. She was recruited by the US Department of Labor in 1977 to join the professional staff of a national youth employment intermediary, after gaining national recognition for the design of an education-business partnership for NH’s second largest school district.  Early in her career, she led community-action efforts and served as a VISTA volunteer from 1972 to 1975.

She is a 1971 graduate of Seton Hill College (now University) in Greensburg, PA, and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna in 2001.

 

RE: Philanthropy Blog Posts by Stephanie

March 30, 2010: Now is the Time

October 6, 2009: A Reality Check