The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation has announced the hiring of a new executive director.

Jackie Hartmann brings almost 30 years of experience as a human resources professional to the SCV Education Foundation.

She has previously worked with companies such as Six Flags and L’Oreal, where she was responsible for all aspects of the personnel function including recruiting, employee relations, benefits and legal compliance.

Hartmann has served in a variety of roles at several large companies and distinguished herself as a community volunteer prior to joining the SCV Education Foundation.

Complimenting her work experience is 20 years as a volunteer in numerous Santa Clarita nonprofits.

She has been a constant force with the local Special Olympics program as a coach, event coordinator, venue supervisor and leadership committee member.

Last year, Hartmann was chair of the Host Town Santa Clarita effort, in conjunction with the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

She was responsible for 140 Special Olympic athletes from four countries that stayed in Santa Clarita for four days, handling the logistics of fundraising, housing, food, entertainment, sports training and community events.

Additional volunteer hours have been spent with Bridges to Ability, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation and Professionals in Human Resources.

“Education is critical to our community’s well-being and its future,” said James S. Backer, president of the Foundation, “and the SCV Education Foundation is thrilled to have Jackie Hartmann to help us continue our service to the Santa Clarita Valley.”

Hartmann earned her B.S. degree from Cal State Northridge and her M.S. from the University of Oregon.

She is married, has two adult children, and has been a resident of the SCV since 1990.

Originally created in 1984 as the Education Committee of the SCV Chamber of Commerce, the SCV Education Foundation formed as a non-profit in 1995 to benefit Santa Clarita’s public K-12 schools.

Activities of the foundation include “Bag of Books,” a literacy program for young readers, and

“Read With Me,” which gives much needed one-on-one reading assistance from community volunteers.

The SCV Education Foundation has contributed over $150,000 in scholarships to high school students since 1988.

In addition, the foundation has awarded over $550,000 in grants — called Teacher Innovation Grants — for a variety of school projects such as computer software, science equipment and the arts. Teacher Tribute, an annual program for over 30 years, honors one outstanding teacher from each school.

Ed. Note: The following article is a news release provided by the SCV Education Foundation.