CHASE and Bedtime Math Founder Honored for Commitment to Education
Newark, NJ—March 27, 2013—New Jersey SEEDS, a nonprofit organization that changes children’s lives by creating access to exceptional educational opportunities, announced that CHASE and Laura Bilodeau Overdeck, founder and president of Bedtime Math, will be honored at SEEDS’ Annual Leading Change Benefit.
SEEDS’ Leading Change Award was established to recognize those whose initiative and commitment have enhanced the educational opportunities of young people throughout the communities New Jersey SEEDS serves.
“CHASE’s commitment to increasing educational opportunities for students in low-income communities has been far-reaching,” explains Ronni Denes, President of NJ SEEDS. “For students in New Jersey, CHASE has helped deepen teacher content, strengthen instructional strategies, extend learning opportunities and support college access initiatives. The company has also been a supporter of SEEDS and our students since 2006. In addition to their monetary support, CHASE employees volunteer their time which has been a terrific plus for SEEDS.”
Accepting the award on behalf of CHASE will be Robert St. Jean, President, Middle Market Banking. Prior to his current role at CHASE, Mr. St. Jean covered a portfolio of clients in JPMorgan’s Corporate Client Banking unit. Earlier in his career at the Bank, he managed a firm-wide technology supplier management team, and served as JPMorgan’s senior IT services analyst. He has an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.S. in computer science from The George Washington University, and a B.A. from St. Anselm College.
“Laura Overdeck advocates for improved math and science education in the classroom, in the home, and in cultural organizations; she’s an overall champion of education,” explains Denes. “Her support of mathematics-based initiatives has been vital in creating scholarships and launching and expanding science and math programs for students across the state. Laura has also been a steadfast supporter of SEEDS since 2007, helping to improve college-going aspirations among the students we serve.”
Mrs. Overdeck is the founder of Bedtime Math, a nonprofit that hopes to make nightly math as common and beloved as the bedtime story. Since launching one year ago with a handful of families, Bedtime Math has grown to over 30,000 subscribers and has garnered nationwide press. Mrs. Overdeck works with a variety of education organizations focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). She serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth (CTY) and as a trustee of Liberty Science Center, Drew University, and the Governor’s School of New Jersey. She also served as president of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills. She holds a B.A. in astrophysics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business.
New Jersey SEEDS’ 2nd Annual Leading Change Benefit will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at The Park Savoy in Florham Park, NJ. The evening – featuring a strolling dinner, seated dessert and auction – will begin at 6:30 p.m.
To purchase a ticket, please visit http://njseeds.org/donate/. For additional information, please contact Sarah Cassidy at scassidy@njseeds.org or at 973.642.6422, ext. 241.
About New Jersey SEEDS
Since its inception 20 years ago, New Jersey SEEDS has provided educational access for highly motivated, low-income students and created a viable path for them to achieve their full potential. SEEDS strives for a world in which young people’s initiative, creativity and intellect can flourish without regard to socioeconomic status. To date, nearly 2,000 scholars have benefitted from its programs. For more information, visit www.njseeds.org.