September 21, 2022- Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and in partnership with Clay County District Schools, Carolyn Krall has been named the new President/CEO of the Clay Education Foundation. Krall succeeded Makayla Buchanan, who left the Foundation to support public education at the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. The Foundation also promoted Heather Obermiller from part-time Program Assistant to Vice-President.
During her tenure as President/CEO of the Foundation, Makayla Buchanan increased revenue by over 400 percent, launched numerous innovative programs, and built partnerships to support early literacy, STEM education, college and career readiness, and educators. “It has been an incredible opportunity and privilege to serve my hometown and the Clay County community through the Clay Education Foundation over the past few years. While it is bittersweet to move on, I am excited to see the continued growth and success through my new role in supporting local education foundations across the state of Florida,” said Makayla Buchanan.
Incoming President/CEO Carolyn Krall brings two decades of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit sector. Combined with a passion for empowering tomorrow’s leaders to thrive, her experience will further advance the mission of the Foundation. Krall comes most recently from the Pace Center for Girls Clay, where she led fund development efforts and operations for 50 at-promise girls. Before Pace, she served as the Development Director for Quigley House, where she secured $1.8 million in annual revenue through state and local funding, grants, and individual giving. “We are excited to welcome Carolyn as the new President/CEO of the Clay Education Foundation,” says Gi Teevan, Clay Education Foundation Board Chair. “She brings the experience and enthusiasm needed to build upon the Foundation’s recent growth and ensure sustainable support for Clay County Schools.”
Krall is a parent of a 9th grader at Fleming Island High School. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Orange Park and the College Drive Initiative. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Liberal Arts.
The Clay Education Foundation hired Heather Obermiller in August 2021 as a part-time Program Assistant and in August 2022, promoted her to Vice President of Programming. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Florida. Obermiller was the math department chair at Clay High School and coached softball and cross-country. Obermiller is the founder of MOMS Club Fleming Island/Green Cove Springs, and a Fleming Island Friends of the Library and Delta Kappa Gamma Society member.
In her time at the Clay Education Foundation, Obermiller streamlined and expanded the Tools 4 Schools teacher store, opening a second location in Keystone Heights. In August, 500 teachers received free classroom supplies through the Tools 4 Schools program. Obermiller also brought the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to early readers. Through generous donor support, 635 children have received free books since March 2022.
Pictured from left to right: Makayla Buchanan, Carolyn Krall, Heather Obermiller
