Our Team

The Board is committed and working towards fortifying the organization’s structure to ensure continuity of community participation in the Foundation, increasing and varying the sources of sponsorship and developing a robust, multi-year strategic plan to facilitate dynamic responses by the Foundation in addressing student needs as those needs align with its purpose and goals.

Today’s Board brings a reinvigoration of the Foundation. Community members interested in further elevating the improvements made in the Mount Vernon City School District in recent years have once again come together to move the MVEF into a new phase of fundraising to support school district students in broadening their intellectual abilities, developing interpersonal connections and communication skills, and obtaining exposure to environments and experiences to develop globally conscious and competitive students.

EILEEN JUSTINO

President

A resident of Mount Vernon for over 30 years, Eileen Justino has developed, implemented and managed complex projects both in her professional career and as a volunteer. A graduate of Manhattan College’s School of Business, Eileen worked for 20 years in the computer industry.

After receiving her Master’s Degree, in Education, from Pace University, Eileen worked in educational research and consulting. Eileen’s passion for education and community has culminated in her volunteering for over 20 years, encouraging student growth and coordinating events through her work on the PTA and Fleetwood Neighborhood Association. Eileen has also served as City Councilwoman and is a Democratic District Leader.

TERESA WEBER

Vice President

Teresa Weber has been a proud Mount Vernon resident for the last 11+ years. A first-generation college graduate, Teresa believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives and the fundamental right of all children to have access to high-quality educational opportunities. Teresa has spent her career fundraising for schools and non-profit educational organizations.

She is a mentor and board member with the Mount Vernon Star Scholars, a board member of the Mount Vernon Educational Foundation, a board member of the Mu Alpha Alumni Association, and an alumni interviewer for her alma mater. She graduated with a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Teresa and her husband Scott are the proud dog-parents of Pippi and Eloise, sister Shih-Tzus.

PAUL HERRICK

Treasurer

Paul Herrick is a New York attorney and a 30-year resident of Mount Vernon. His three children attended the Pennington Elementary School from 1998 through 2010.

Paul has volunteered countless hours in support of local community organizations: having coached boys and girls youth sports for over 12 years and having served as the first President of the Mount Vernon Educational Foundation, Inc. from 2004-2008 and as its Treasurer since 2008.

CHARMAINE FEARON

Assistant Treasurer

Charmaine Fearon, is an attorney who has worked with large financial institutions for over 20 years on negotiating contracts and implementing regulatory changes.

As a former Mount Vernon School Board Trustee and volunteer member on the school district’s Audit Committee, Charmaine has been an advocate for improving the lives of students in the school district and recognizes the essential role of the Foundation in meeting needs not met by taxpayer dollars.

NATALEE GARRISON

Secretary

Natalee Garrison has more than 15 years of experience providing internal audit and financial accounting services to various industries including, manufacturing, media services, education and financial services. She provides value-added risk advisory services such as, Sarbanes Oxley readiness, internal control risk assessment and execution of internal audit plans. She also has experience in IT General Computer Controls review, user access reviews and ERM system implementation.

Natalee is experienced in performing and executing audit procedures for various audits including financial, operational and compliance.

DARCY MILLER

Ex-Officio

Darcy is a retired senior business executive with over 30 years of management experience. She and her husband, Rick Powers moved to Mount Vernon in 2009. Darcy is a co-founder of Mount Vernon Star Scholars and has been mentoring MV high school students for 9 years.

Witnessing first-hand the rapid progress of her students inspired Darcy to pursue a position on the school board. She is currently in the final year of her second three-year term and is President of the School Board. Darcy holds a BA from NYU (Magna Cum Laude) and an MA from The Graduate Center, CUNY.