Vita Education Services has named Heather S. Giampapa to lead the Doylestown-based nonprofit that offers free literacy programs to educationally disadvantaged and underserved populations in Bucks County.
Giampapa, who has a background in nonprofit development and philanthropy, succeeds Mercedes Padrino Anderson, who retired as executive director at the end of June.
“I am thrilled to join the Vita team and continue the organization’s vital work in fostering education and opportunity within our community,” said Giampapa in a statement.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Giampapa comes to Vita from the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations where she most recently worked as its director of standards for excellence and development.
But prior to joining PANO she was director of Development and Communications at Philadelphia’s Uplift Center for Grieving Children. Before that she had philanthropy-focused positions at St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown Township and A Woman’s Place and development director jobs at Prince Music Theater and Astral Artists, both located in Center City Philadelphia.
“Heather’s visionary approach and proven track record in nonprofit success make her an ideal leader for Vita Education Services,” said Ellen Happ, president of Vita’s board of directors. “The board is excited to work with her to enhance our programs and benefit our students.”
The nationwide search for Vita’s new Executive Director was funded in part by a grant from Foundations Community Partnership.
“We are grateful for FCP’s investment in Vita’s mission and future,” Happ said.
Vita Education Services is the lead literacy agency in Bucks County and the largest provider of education programs in the Bucks County Correctional Facilities, according to the press release.
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