Growing Inland Achievement President and CEO, Dr. Carlos Ayala, to Retire

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - May 8, 2023 - PRLog -- President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), Dr. Carlos Ayala, will retire in June 2023.

GIA serves both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties as a regional, cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire; collectively, they work towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

"It has been an honor to serve the students of the Inland Empire, says Dr. Ayala. "I have learned a great deal about the affordances and constraints our students, families, institutions and community-based organizations face when it comes to student success."

Dr. Ayala, age 62, has more than 25 years of service in public education.  During his tenure as CEO, Ayala is credited with working with the network's partners to establish GIA as a 501(c) (3), tax-exempt organization, more than doubling the size of the organization and raising millions of dollars for Inland Empire education.

Under his guidance and working with the network members, GIA was accepted as one of only six organizations in the U.S. chosen by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to participate in its Intermediaries for Scale program, also known as Higher Endeavor, bringing $10 million of support to the region for postsecondary transformation reforms.

"I want to thank the GIA Board of Directors and employees for their commitment to the people and students of the Inland Empire," Ayala said. "I also wish to thank the vast array of people who are committed to changing the economy of the Inland Empire through education. Their work is notable and I remain convinced that the path forward is at your doorstep—engage collectively."

The Board of Directors for GIA will oversee the process of choosing Dr. Ayala's successor.

"As its first CEO, Carlos established the organization, including a set of processes to help us move forward," said Dr. Kim Wilcox, GIA Board Chair and Chancellor of UC Riverside.  "I'm personally grateful for his efforts."

Ann Marie Sakrekoff, COO of Growing Inland Achievement. "He is leaving GIA in a great position to succeed in our next chapter. Under Dr. Ayala's leadership, GIA has become nationally recognized."

Watch a video announcement from Dr. Ayala  https://youtu.be/DwqwOkfNyjE



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