Today, we announce the departure of Jackie Wirz, PhD, as Executive Director of Saturday Academy. Jackie will be leaving Saturday Academy to open a coaching and consultation business focused on supporting students and professionals in the STEM disciplines. The Board of Directors is extremely appreciative to Jackie for her ability to keep the train on the tracks during such a challenging time. Her impact on the organization will live on in the morale of the staff, the financial wellbeing of the organization during turbulent times, and the intentional shift towards work that focuses on supporting underserved and underrepresented students in STEM. Jackie says, “It has been an honor to lead Saturday Academy and serve so many students, even during these unprecedented times. Working with the board and staff to realize a shared vision of inclusive STEM education excellence has been an incredibly rewarding experience.” Jackie’s last day at Saturday Academy will be December 31st.
Board Chair, Eileen Boerger, says “It was a pleasure and an honor to work with such an inspiring individual as Jackie Wirz. Her impact at the organization will be felt far beyond her departure!” Vice chair and longtime supporter of Saturday Academy, Elizabeth Silberg, will be filling the position as Interim Executive Director, starting on December 1st. Elizabeth will overlap with Jackie for a month before transitioning to being the Interim Executive Director January 1st. Elizabeth says, “As much as the Board and I have implored Jackie to stay, we know Jackie deserves to pursue her passion” and she is prepared to take on the responsibility of ED to support Jackie’s transition. Elizabeth comes to Saturday Academy with a background in computer science engineering, several years of strategy and executive management at IBM and various nonprofit Board leadership positions.
We hope you will all join us in wishing Jackie well in her journey, and welcome Elizabeth as the interim Executive Director. The board and staff will miss Jackie for all she has contributed: she has made a difference not just at Saturday Academy, but also in the lives of hundreds of children through STEM education.