LEAF hires new executive director

The Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation has announced Trista Warren as its new executive director.

Warren, who is succeeding Dave Munson, will guide the organization on its mission to deliver career and college access advisory programs that connect individuals to their best-fit careers beginning March 15, according to a news release.

Warren brings over 25 years of leadership experience in education and related fields. She was the founding superintendent of iSTEM, the director of Curriculum and Innovation while with the Geauga County Educational Service Center, a graduate instructor at Ashland University,

principal of Newbury Junior-Senior High School, and assistant principal for Willoughby South High School.

“My passions are in direct correlation to serve in this role as LEAF’s executive director,” she said in the release. “I want kids to find their passions. So, I’ve dedicated my life and professional experiences to helping kids achieve their dreams.

“I will do my best to continue to develop LEAF’s strong tradition for that purpose.”

LEAF Board President Bob Malinowski praised Munson’s work over the past five years keeping LEAF focused on its core mission, improving service offerings and establishing a well-organized and efficient organizational structure.

“LEAF is far better off because of Dave’s leadership and we wish him the best in his retirement,” Malinowski said in the release, “And so as we looked to the next chapter of LEAF, it was important to find someone who can build on the foundation Dave built, someone with strong ties to the education and business community and is passionate about helping kids and families in our community realize their dreams after high school.

“Dr. Warren checked all those boxes and then some.”

Warren and her husband Michael live in Madison with their two adult children, Dilan and Autumn, and their dog Mugsy.

The non-profit LEAF has been serving the students and parents in Lake, Geauga, and portions of Cuyahoga and Portage counties for more than 30 years. LEAF Advisors, through contracts with local high schools, provide students and their families college access and career guidance services in school and through the LEAF Resource Center.

College and career advising includes choices towards four-year universities, community colleges, career technical programs and the military.