Krista Hawthorne to lead Reaching Heights

Krista Hawthorne is the new Reaching Heights executive director.

Reaching Heights has selected Krista Hawthorne as the next leader of the 25-year-old citizen support organization for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights public schools. Hawthorne has been on the staff of Reaching Heights since 2006, most recently as assistant director. She will assume her duties as executive director on April 15.

“Krista combines an exciting sense of the future for Reaching Heights with a deep awareness of the organization’s history, which she’s helped shape over the last eight years, most recently as assistant director,” said John Hubbard, Reaching Heights board president. “She brings a deep understanding of our community and a demonstrated ability to connect with a wide range of people. We were fortunate to interview other remarkable candidates, whom I’m confident will continue to share their gifts on behalf of excellent public education in our community.”

“I look forward to working with our many volunteers and talented board, who share my optimism and dedication to our teachers, students and community,” Hawthorne said. “My goal is to help focus greater resources in support of powerful learning, effective teaching, and a broader understanding of the good work happening in our schools. I know our district educates the whole child. My daughters are among many Heights students who have excelled as athletes, artists, musicians and scholars.”

Hawthorne, a graduate of Kent State University and a Heights resident since 1988, thanked her predecessors for their service. [Patrick Mullen had served as executive director of the organization since 2007, following the retirement of founding director Susie Kaeser.]