Nativity School of Worcester Announces Executive Director and Director of Development

The Nativity School of Worcester, a private, Catholic, inner-city middle school for boys living in the Main South area of Worcester set to open in September 2003, has announced the hiring of its executive director, Joanne Glavin McClatchy, a seasoned professional with a strong and diverse management background in finance, not-for-profit management and involvement with at-risk youth.

Sponsored by the Society of Jesus in New England and the College of the Holy Cross, the Nativity School of Worcester will offer an intensive education to students who come from low-income families. The student body will include at-risk youth who have the potential to do well academically, but who are currently working at or below grade level. Many of the students will be minorities.

Mrs. Joanne Glavin McClatchy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at the College of the Holy Cross and her M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. From 1989 to 1998, McClatchy worked in various capacities at Fleet Financial Group in Providence, R.I., serving as vice president, senior vice president and, ultimately, executive vice president. She served in senior management positions in many different areas of the company, including syndication and credit risk management in the real estate and small business divisions. As the principal owner of Slater Ventures for the past four years, she has been engaged in grant writing and financial development for small businesses and non-profit organizations. While at Slater Ventures, she worked closely with The San Miguel School, a middle school located on the south side of Providence that provides education and support to young men at high risk. For the past two years, McClatchy has been a member of the school's board of directors.

The Nativity School has appointed Brian S. McClatchy, Joanne's husband, as the director of development. Brian McClatchy is an experienced developmental/fund-raising professional, devoted to the education of at-risk youth. Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Boston College. He is currently the Director of Development, fund raising and technology at The San Miguel School in Providence, R.I., a small school with a similar mission to the Nativity School. McClatchy assisted in increasing the school's annual revenue from $300,000 to $700,000. His efforts in promoting San Miguel within the annual United Way campaign in Southeastern New England have increased donations to the school from $8,000 to $45,000 per year. His experience in technology from prior work experience and his ability to work in partnership with corporate sponsors have lead to the installation of 50 computers for student and faculty use at San Miguel.

Several corporations and a local university, all of whom provided software, hardware and training, sponsored the technology upgrades. Prior to working at San Miguel, McClatchy was a middle school teacher at Saint Mary School, an inner-city parochial school in Providence's west end.

"I am very happy that Joanne McClatchy has accepted the position of executive director of The Nativity School of Worcester," says Holy Cross president, Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J. "Her energy, creativity, proven management ability and extensive experience at a similar school will enable her to establish the school and provide effective leadership."

Fr. McFarland's enthusiasm is shared by Rev. Michael D. Linden, S.J., the representative of the Jesuit Provincial of New England's search and hiring committee, who says, "I am happy that Joanne and Brian have accepted the positions at the Nativity School. Together, they are well suited to lead this ambitious undertaking. They have the talent, experience and the commitment necessary to this venture; they understand the academic, social and spiritual components central to the Nativity mission."

"We are honored and thrilled at the opportunity presented by Holy Cross and the Jesuits to start a new Nativity School in Worcester," say the McClatchys. "We look forward to working with parents, community groups and the business groups in the Greater Worcester area in starting the new school. The young men are the heart of the program. But the support of the families and friends of the school will make it a success in the years to come, not only financially but also in how lives are changed, every day."