Executives

President, Alan M. Blankstein

The HOPE Foundation was founded in 1989 by Alan M. Blankstein, a former disadvantaged youth, who is committed to ensuring that all children succeed. Blankstein has worked within youth-serving organizations since 1983, beginning as a music teacher, and including founding and directing the National Education Service (currently Solution-Tree). He has created award-winning publications and video staff development programs, and he is the author of the best-selling book, Failure Is Not an Option^®: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools, which has been awarded "Book of the Year" by the National Staff Development Council, and nominated for three other national and international awards. He also served as editor and co-publisher with AASA for The Soul of Educational Leadership Series, including Engaging Every Learner, and Out-of-the-Box Leadership.

• Betting on Me, an article by Alan Blankstein
• Alan Blankstein's Speaker Bio

Executive Director, Nancy Shin Pascal

More than 30 years ago, Nancy Shin Pascal began her lifelong career of service teaching junior high French. She subsequently served as a social worker and an analyst for GTE before returning to education in 1989 as Executive Director of the HOPE Foundation. She leads the long-term professional development services of HOPE in 15 states, Canada and the Hopi Nation. Her work has consistently led to increases in student proficiency on standardized tests across geographies, race and economic status. Read more about Nancy.

Board of Directors

Desmond Tutu, Honorary Chair

Desmond Tutu is the Honorary Chairman of the Board for the HOPE Foundation. Tutu was elected and ordained the first African South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa). He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He is also a recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and was also rewarded with the Magubela Prize for Liberty in 1986.

Renée Fleming, Honorary Board Member

A two-time Grammy winner, American soprano Renée Fleming continues to thrill audiences with a voice described as the “gold standard of soprano sound,” a meticulous and dazzling gift for characterization, and a rare stylistic versatility. Her superb artistry has inspired her instatement as a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government (2005), as well as the “Renée Fleming Iris” (2004) and Master Chef Daniel Boulud’s dessert “La Diva Renée” (1999).

 

---

• Larry Barber, Former Director of Research, Phi Delta Kappa
• Felicia Blasingame, Executive Director, South Central Community Services
• Maurice Elias, Professor, Rutgers University
• Marilyn Hartman, Attorney at Law
• Barbara Huff, Executive Director, Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
• Fred Mathews, Director, Toronto Youth Services
• Larry Rowedder, Superintendent in Residence, Stupski Foundation
• Bill Scott, Associate Executive Director, Kentucky School Boards Association
• Paul Stafford, Senior Vice President of Family Operations, Ziff Brothers Investments

---

• Advisory Board