We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Gislaine Ngounou has joined the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (WCGMF) as our new CEO. This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving equity in education and ending racism and poverty.

Dr. Ngounou brings over two decades of experience in the education sector, including philanthropy, nonprofits, and school districts. Her extensive background in driving systemic change and her unwavering commitment to social and racial justice make her an excellent fit for leading WCGMF into the future.

A Visionary Leader

Dr. Ngounou has an impressive track record of fostering positive change. During her tenure as Interim President and CEO at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF), she led initiatives that advanced racial justice in public education through strategic grantmaking, trust-based philanthropy, policy advocacy, and community-driven efforts. During her tenure at NMEF, the Foundation earned one of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's prestigious Impact Awards.

Deep Academic and Professional Roots

Dr. Ngounou’s academic achievements are equally noteworthy. She holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, an Education Specialist in Administration from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Missouri Central, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Her professional journey has been marked by key positions at Phi Delta Kappa International and various school districts, where she taught, designed and led programs focused on equity, social justice, and leadership development.

A Message from Our Board

Lisa Graustein, Board Member of WCGMF, shares her thoughts on this exciting new chapter: "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Gislaine Ngounou as our new CEO. Her deep commitment to social and racial justice aligns perfectly with our mission. We are confident that her expertise and vision will guide us towards achieving greater equity in education."

Looking Ahead

Under Dr. Ngounou’s leadership, we are poised to make significant strides in our mission to transform education systems throughout Connecticut. We believe that her experience, knowledge, and passion will inspire all to join us in our efforts to end racism and poverty.

We plan to organize a meet and greet session with our staff and Dr. Ngounou to foster connections and share our collective vision for the future.

Join Us in Welcoming Dr. Ngounou

We invite our grantees, partners, and the broader community to join us in welcoming Dr. Gislaine Ngounou to the Memorial Fund. Together, we will continue to work towards creating just and equitable education systems that respect, value, and equip everyone to build thriving lives and communities.

Dr. Ngounou officially starts her role at the Memorial Fund on Sept. 3, 2024.