GEF Welcomes New Board Members and Development Manager
The Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors and hired a Development Manager as the organization enters its third decade of expanding opportunities for Gloucester students.
Joining the GEF Board as of July 1 are Jeremy McKeen, Sara Seber, and Norah Wylie. Laura Irwin joined the staff in May as Development Manager.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy, Sara, Norah, and Laura to GEF,” said Executive Director Emily Siegel. “Each brings deep experience, strong community connections, and a genuine commitment to public education. Their leadership will be especially valuable as GEF continues supporting innovative programs across the Gloucester Public Schools while advancing the transformational O’Maley Courtyard project.”
Jeremy McKeen
Jeremy is a longtime English teacher, writer, and father of three children in the Gloucester Public Schools. He recently completed a term on the Gloucester School Committee and has been involved in community organizations and traditions including the Horribles Parade Committee. During his 25-year career in education, he has served as a coach, union representative, chess club advisor, class advisor, and writing instructor. He is also a published author, editor, and columnist.
Sara Seber
Sara is a real estate advisor with Engel & Völkers By the Sea and lives in Lanesville with her daughter, a Plum Cove Elementary School student. Her background includes nonprofit development, event and project management, and community organizing. She has worked with organizations including Backyard Growers, Massachusetts Farm to School, the Cape Ann YMCA, and the Sawyer Free Library. She brings to GEF a strong network of local relationships and a passion for building connections among families and community organizations.
Norah Wylie
Norah is a retired attorney with decades of experience in education law and public education advocacy. Her career included representing children and families in special education and disability accommodation matters, working on school safety and education issues as an assistant attorney general, and serving for 20 years as Associate Dean for Students at Boston College Law School. She previously served on the Newton School Committee, the Newton Schools Foundation board, and local PTO leadership. She moved to Gloucester full-time four years ago, after owning a home here for 17 years.
Laura Irwin
As GEF’s new Development Manager, Laura brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, grant management, and philanthropic operations. Her previous roles include positions with the Essex County Community Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, FamilyAid Boston, and the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. At GEF, Laura will help lead annual fundraising, donor stewardship, prospect development, and fundraising systems while supporting the organization’s $3 million capital campaign to renovate the O’Maley Middle School courtyard.
GEF also extends its deep gratitude to outgoing board member Matt Beach, whose term ended on June 30. A longtime supporter of the organization, Matt has been a thoughtful advocate for Gloucester students and helped strengthen GEF’s relationship with Applied Materials, a major supporter of GEF and STEM opportunities for Gloucester students.