FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Lima James, Senior Director of Development
Ljames@enrooteducation.org | (617) 209-9395
ENROOT ANNOUNCES ROSE FRANCOIS AS ITS NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Boston, Mass. (June 1, 2022) - Enroot, Inc. announces Rose Francois has been named the next Executive Director of the Cambridge-based nonprofit devoted to empowering immigrant youth to achieve academic, career, and personal success through inspiring out-of-school experiences.
Francois first joined Enroot in 2019 as Senior Director of Program and since then has provided overall leadership for Enroot’s wrap-around program model that supports immigrant youth in Cambridge Rindge & Latin School and Somerville High School.
At a young age, Rose immigrated to the U.S. with her family. As a U.S. citizen she believes in making the American Dream more accessible to students who are new to the country.
The organization, founded in 1938, has gone through several rebranding. Since Enroot started providing direct services in 1992, Rose Francois in this role as Executive Director is the first immigrant and female of color in this role.
Enroot has been dedicated to serving immigrant youth for nearly three decades providing after-school mentoring, leadership development, academic tutoring, and workforce readiness programming in a robust, wraparound model.
With 14 years of experience in the educational space, Rose has worked abroad and the U.S. in the fields of English language acquisition, higher education and international education. As an immigrant herself and with her own lived experiences, Rose comes with a great understanding of the needs of immigrant students and their families. Currently, Rose is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Lesley University's Human Development and Learning Program.
“We are thrilled Rose will serve as Executive Director! Her deep commitment to students and their families is matched only by the depth of her leadership and management skills. It is truly an incredible moment! Our organization will be led by someone who shares the lived experience of our students and that sends such a powerful statement to the brilliant young immigrants we serve,” said Enroot Board Co-Chairs Allyson Allen and Tri Ho. “Rose is someone who knows Enroot’s ins and outs, and she is ready to take this organization through the next chapter. She has engendered the trust of the Board of Directors, the staff and community stakeholders and we look forward to her guidance and vision shepherding Enroot through this next chapter of the organization.”
“I am deeply humbled and thrilled to lead Enroot as its new Executive Director. I am acutely aware of the opportunities and challenges that the students we serve face daily,” Francois said. “I appreciate the Enroot staff team’s and Board of Directors’ confidence in me. As Executive Director, I look forward to continuing to celebrate the immigrant identities of each student, uplifting the needs of our undocu+ population, and creating space for all students to enter into adulthood fully prepared to succeed in their future pursuits. I am a believer in the power of education, the healing of community, and the possibilities of collaboration.”
Harry, a current Enroot student, explains, “Rose is awesome. She's a hard worker and supportive. Rose takes care of every student and always makes students happy. She always checks-in with students when something is going on to figure out what the problem is. Rose is going to be a great ED." Paola Pelletier-Ozuna, Enroot’s longtime staff member and current Cambridge Program Director adds, "Having Rose as Enroot's Executive Director is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the organization. Rose has exhibited inspiring leadership, collaboration, and passion for Enroot's mission. She has improved not only our overall programming but has brought a refreshing sense of humor, deep empathy, and care for the entire Enroot team. We are so incredibly lucky to have Rose as our leader.”
As Executive Director, Francois will work closely with staff, the Enroot board, and key stakeholders to ensure the organization can continue to adapt to serve and meet the needs of immigrant youth in Cambridge, Somerville, and beyond. One of her first acts as director will be to oversee the completion of Enroot’s organizational strategic plan—one of the biggest projects that will guide the organization for the next several years.
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About Enroot, Inc.
Founded in 1938, Enroot is a community-based nonprofit with a mission to empower immigrant youth to achieve academic, career, and personal success through inspiring out-of-school experiences. Enroot’s programs provide immigrant youth leadership development workshops, internships, workforce readiness guidance, academic tutoring, and matching all students one-to-one with an adult mentor. https://www.enrooteducation.org/