Golden LEAF Program Officer Jason Rochelle retired on June 30, after 10 years of service to the Foundation.
As a Program Officer, Jason was responsible for evaluating funding proposals and overseeing project monitoring and compliance activities. He also provided insight on Foundation policy, programs and initiatives, and data to support Golden LEAF’s funding priorities.
Over the past decade, Rochelle managed 107 projects totaling more than $80 million. He primarily focused on Workforce Preparedness projects, where he worked with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments to support programs that prepared North Carolinians for high-demand careers.
Among his accomplishments, Rochelle supported the first year of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a $25 million commitment over five years to strengthen middle school math instruction, enhance career development, and better prepare students in North Carolina’s rural schools for future educational and workforce opportunities.
“Jason’s contributions have helped strengthen the Foundation’s efforts to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities, and his work has left a meaningful mark on our organization,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton. “He has built a reputation for thorough research and thoughtful analysis, and he has been an invaluable resource to his grantees and the Golden LEAF team. We are grateful for his dedicated service and the lasting contributions he made to Golden LEAF and the North Carolina economy, and we wish him every happiness in a well-deserved retirement.”