REACH Welcomes New Executive Director

I’m pleased to announce that it’s time to pass the baton of my Interim Executive Director role at REACH, Inc. to our new Executive Director! My time in this position has been rewarding and enlightening, allowing me to guide our organization through a pivotal transitional period. I’ve witnessed firsthand the resilience and dedication of our teams, which are stronger and more united than ever. As we welcome our new Executive Director, I’m excited about the innovative ideas and fresh perspectives she will bring. Together, we are ready to embark on this new chapter, continuing our mission and making an impact in the community!

I am thrilled to introduce our new Executive Director, Naomi Studevan!

Naomi comes to REACH from Pennsylvania, where she grew up in a small town with family roots dating back over 80 years. She comes from a family of educators, including a great-great-uncle for whom a school was named in the neighborhood where multiple generations of her family were raised. She has two children, Calvin (19) and Chloe (18), and a fiancé, Giovanni. Calvin lives and works in California, while Chloe is a freshman at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Naomi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix. With over two decades of experience and specialized training in education and behavioral health, she is dedicated to driving meaningful change and fostering growth in those she serves. Naomi is a Steering Committee Member and Chair of the DEI Committee for the Specialists of Schools Group (SOS), as well as the Vice President of the West Park Cultural Center Board, a vibrant community arts organization in Pennsylvania. Naomi is deeply engaged in community initiatives and prides herself on building collaborative relationships. She understands the importance of forming alliances within the provider community to better serve the needs of the community, and she has made this a priority in her work in Pennsylvania. She looks forward to doing the same in Juneau.

Naomi has acquired over 20 years of personal and professional experience in education and mental and behavioral health. Her personal experience includes navigating early intervention services and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for her son. Professionally, she began her career as a residential counselor and later started her own Education and Behavioral Health Advocacy company, where she worked closely with parents to help them navigate these systems. She also collaborated with service providers to ensure their programs and services adhere to best practice standards, ultimately better supporting the children she served.

Naomi will begin her tenure as the Executive Director at REACH, Inc. on September 30, 2024! Stay tuned for opportunities to meet Naomi in the coming months!

Sincerely,

Sherri McDonald Interim Executive Director