The Curtis Fund Announces Appointment of Leilani Pearl to its Board of Directors

The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, is pleased to announce Leilani Pearl has joined its Board of Directors. Pearl, who is the senior vice president and chief communications officer at the Parkinson’s Foundation, brings decades of nonprofit marketing and communications experience, as well as a passion for healthcare and education. Her appointment is notable in that Pearl herself is a former Curtis Fund scholar.

“With a scholarship from The Curtis Fund, I was able to enroll at the University of Vermont as a first-generation college student,” says Pearl. “A four-year degree opened many doors for me, including a path to a graduate degree. As both a Vermonter and a former scholarship recipient, I am honored to help Vermont students achieve their educational goals and secure a brighter future.”

Shana Trombley, executive director of The Curtis Fund, adds, “We are delighted to have Leilani join our Board of Directors. The leadership she brings as a nonprofit executive with an expertise in communications is welcomed as we work to raise awareness of the fund and its scholarships. We also value the insight and perspective she can share as a former Curtis Fund scholar.”

In her role at the Parkinson’s Foundation, Pearl guides the public relations and communications strategy to increase awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Prior to this, she worked in nonprofit healthcare communications to advocate for women’s health in Massachusetts. At the start of her career, Pearl spent nearly a decade in education, teaching literature and writing at the university and high school levels. She holds a master’s degree in English literature from Boston College. Her years of experience leading public awareness campaigns will help increase The Curtis Fund’s visibility.

This year, The Curtis Fund is providing scholarships to 700 students through its programs for both degree-seeking students and students pursuing a Credentials of Value training program. The Curtis Fund is committed to ensuring that every Vermonter, regardless of income, can earn a postsecondary degree or certificate—because in a small state, we can’t afford to leave any talent behind.