(Vancouver, WA – January 22, 2018) Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Ms. Rekah Strong, M.S.W. In collaboration with EOCF’s Board of Directors, Rekah will be responsible for ensuring the execution of an innovative board governance policy, visioning, strategic planning, community outreach and all internal operations including financial management of the organization.
Rekah joins EOCF from United Way of the Columbia-Willamette where she served on the executive leadership team as the Chief of Operations and Equity Officer. At United Way, her primary responsibility was the management of internal operations including Finance, Human Resources, Facilities and Technology. Under her purview United Way was recognized for building an inclusive culture.
Rekah comes to EOCF as a highly accomplished public and non-profit executive. She previously served as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Clark County where she worked across multiple government sectors developing inclusion strategies for county administration. Prior to working with Clark County, Rekah spent over a decade working for the State of Oregon to improve outcomes for children and families in Oregon’s child welfare system. More recently, she was reappointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Clark College Trustee and actively advocate for education. Rekah comes to EOCF after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Work Research.
As the Executive Director for EOCF, Rekah will lead the largest early learning organization in the southwest Washington region. EOCF provides services that include Early Head Start, Head Start, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and the HotShots Youth Sports basketball program with the primary purpose of strengthening children and families through early learning, child development education and community partnerships.
Meridee Pabst, Chair of the EOCF Board of Directors, states, “The Board is inspired by Rekah’s sincere commitment to EOCF’s mission and looks forward to her dynamic leadership of the agency.”
Rekah will be responsible for enhancing the programs currently supported by EOCF. The Board of Directors believes that she will lead the dedicated EOCF staff and managers to achieve an even higher level of service in support of the mission of EOCF. In the future, the Board believes that Rekah will additionally be able to attract, recruit and develop new, talented employees to the organization.
The children and families served by EOCF will continue to be beneficiaries of the helpful and supportive programs provided. Rekah has a strong commitment to these stakeholders and is committed to seeking pathways to creatively increase the services provided by EOCF.