Scholar Athletes appoints two nonprofit leaders to managing director roles

ROXBURY — Scholar Athletes today announced the appointment of two nonprofit leaders to managing director roles within the Boston-based nonprofit. Scholar Athletes provides academic and college preparation support to more than 5,000 student “Zone members” in more than 20 schools in Boston, Everett and Springfield.

Author: Courtesy Scholar AthletesCara Gould

Author: Courtesy Scholar AthletesAli Sherwood

Cara Gould assumes the role of managing director of program services. Gould comes to Scholar Athletes from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) where she served as senior executive director of operations. In that role, she oversaw seven of the programs operated under BGCB and led a number of agency-wide initiatives. Previously, Gould served as executive director of Camp Harbor View, from its founding in 2007 through its eighth season in 2014. In that time Gould oversaw the growth of the camp from a four-week summer camp to year-round comprehensive youth program.

Ali Sherwood also joins the Scholar Athletes team as managing director of advancement. Sherwood most recently served as director of external engagement with Citizen Schools. Prior to Citizen Schools, Sherwood was the development director for Back on My Feet Boston. In these roles, she led critical work in cultivating and maintaining successful relationships with investors, creating fundraising campaigns, overseeing grant and foundation work and planning events.

“Ali and Cara are dynamic nonprofit leaders who know how to move organizations to the next level,” said Daphne Griffin, Scholar Athletes executive director. “As we near our 10th anniversary serving Zone members, it is critical that we add unmatched talent so that we grow strategically to serve more young people. Ali and Cara are highly sought-after leaders and we are fortunate to have them on our team.”

Gould’s and Sherwood’s appointments are effective immediately. Together they will help lead work to advance Scholar Athletes’ mission and prepare the organization for the next phase of growth as it approaches its 10th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2019.