FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVEN ROTHSTEIN TO STEP DOWN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR RACHEL FLOR NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
https://www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/jfk-library-foundation/administration-staff
Steven M. Rothstein Executive Director
Steven M. Rothstein is an accomplished non-profit administrator, public servant, and entrepreneur. As President of the world-renowned Perkins School for the Blind, Rothstein led the institution through a period of significant growth. During his eleven year tenure from 2003-2014, he grew in-person and online educational services from 40,000 to 900,000 people, diversified teacher training services to all 50 states, increased academic offerings, and expanded to 30 new countries. While there, with strong partners, staff and Board members, he completed a $136 million capital campaign, the largest in the school’s history, led the largest capital building program in 100 years, and grew annual operating revenue from $40 million to $72 million. In collaboration with the amazing team, he also started and led the Perkins online educational programs so Perkins became the largest trainer of teachers and parents in the blindness field.
In 1979, Rothstein was part of the founding team of Citizens Energy Corporation with Joseph P. Kennedy II. In his six years as General Manager at Citizens, the world’s first nonprofit social mission oil company, assisted needy citizens in low cost oil, natural gas, electricity and pharmaceutical services. Citizens, which continues to be led by Joe Kennedy, has delivered millions of gallons of home heating oil to poor and elderly households and provide a range of other services.
Most recently, Rothstein served as CEO of Citizen Schools, a national non-profit organization that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities. During his time at Citizen Schools, the reach of educational and STEM services nearly quadrupled from 5,000 to almost 20,000 students.
Having served on numerous non-profit boards throughout his career, Rothstein is currently a Director of the Brady Campaign and Brady Center for the Prevention of Gun Violence. He graduated with honors from Williams College and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Northeastern University. He and his wife, Susan Maze-Rothstein, have two grown sons and reside in Somerville, Massachusetts.
FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVEN ROTHSTEIN TO STEP DOWN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR RACHEL FLOR NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
https://www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/news-and-press/press-releases/jfk-library-foundation-executive-director-news
Boston, Mass – The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that after a three-year tenure marked by record fundraising, successful high-profile events including President Kennedy’s Centennial and the recent 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Steven M. Rothstein has decided to step down from his position as executive director of the Foundation at the end of the year. Deputy Director Rachel Flor was chosen by the Foundation’s Board to be the new executive director. She will begin transitioning into the role in November to assume full responsibilities in January 2020.
“The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is fortunate that Steven came to us with his experience in education, human services, and government to create stability and reinvigorate our fundraising efforts, which resulted in one of the most successful periods in the Foundation’s history. We thank him for his dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the Foundation,” said John F.
Kennedy Library Foundation Board Chair Ronald Sargent.
“Looking forward, the Board unanimously chose Rachel Flor as the Foundation’s next executive director due to her steadfast commitment to the Foundation’s mission and the significant accomplishments she has already achieved at the Foundation over her 13 years with the organization. The Board recognizes Rachel’s proven success in engaging new generations who are inspired by President Kennedy’s example of public service, civic engagement, and thinking boldly to change the world.”
“I am thrilled that Rachel Flor will be the Foundation’s next leader. She is a visionary who has quietly guided the Library’s most successful initiatives and is responsible for our greatest achievements over the past decade. No one works harder or more effectively to ensure that John F. Kennedy’s legacy of public service and political courage remains a source of inspiration for new generations,” said Caroline Kennedy, honorary president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “We are grateful to Steven Rothstein for his service and contributions over the past three years and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
“President Kennedy is a personal hero of mine, especially because of his focus on civil rights, his commitment to bold ideas like going to the moon, the Peace Corps, and improving services for people with disabilities. This made my time with the Foundation an honor and a true labor of love,” said Rothstein. “I am grateful to the Foundation Board for providing me with this remarkable opportunity and to the hardworking Foundation staff who have made our shared success possible over the last three years. I will remain an ardent supporter of and advocate for the Foundation and its work in promoting President Kennedy’s legacy.”
“I can think of no greater honor than to lead the organization that I care about so deeply,” said Flor. “The past 13 years have given me insight into the limitless possibilities for the Kennedy Library Foundation’s future and I am excited to work with the dedicated staff at the Foundation and the Library to make them a reality. I look forward to collaborating with the Board, the Kennedy family, the Foundation and Library teams, and our supporters to inspire new generations who, like President Kennedy, want to improve their communities, countries, and the world through civic engagement and public service.”
John F. Kennedy Library Director Alan Price praised Rothstein for his work at the Foundation and said of Flor’s appointment to executive director, “Rachel’s impressive achievements in leading and collaborating on major initiatives continue to bring substantial benefits to the Library and our work to preserve and promote President Kennedy’s history and legacy.”
Most recently, Flor conceived and led the day-long JFK Space Summit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, along with the JFK Centennial Profile in Courage Award honoring President Obama, and the 2019 ceremony honoring Speaker Nancy Pelosi. During her tenure, she played a critical role in planning and executing the Foundation’s three-year celebration of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s administration and the 2015 JFK Symposium in Japan. She has also overseen the Foundation’s innovative, public-facing outreach initiatives, including award-winning digital, social media, and advertising campaigns.
In her current role as deputy director, Flor has been responsible for leading the Foundation’s overall program management, operations, project management, strategic communications, marketing, and outreach functions. She also oversees the Foundation’s public programs, the Profile in Courage Award and the New Frontier Awards, and serves as the liaison for Foundation and JFK Library partnership initiatives.
Flor joined the Foundation staff in December 2006 and has served in a variety of roles including in the development department and as head of communications, digital media, and marketing. Before joining the Foundation, Flor worked at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, where she directed the RFK Book and Journalism Awards program and the annual RFK Memorial Golf Tournament. She holds a M.A. in Modern English Literature from University College London and a B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University. A native of Needham, MA, Flor lives with her husband, John Flor, and their two children in Easton, Massachusetts.
Flor will oversee all operations of the Foundation, the 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that provides financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a federal institution governed by the National Archives and Records Administration. She will work with the Foundation staff to sustain and grow the Library’s role in perpetuating and promoting the relevance and significance of the inspiring ideas, policies, and programs that President Kennedy advanced throughout his life and presidency.
Headshot of Rachel Flor available here.
About the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Kennedy Presidential Library and the Kennedy Library Foundation seek to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history, and culture, the process of governing and the importance of public service.
LETTER FROM RACHEL FLOR
https://www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/jfk-library-foundation/executive-director-welcome
Dear friends –
I can think of no greater honor than to lead the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. I’m grateful to the Foundation Board, the Kennedy family, and my Foundation and Library colleagues for their support and trust in me as I begin this journey.
I wasn’t alive when John F. Kennedy was president. But like so many of you, in his words and deeds I’ve found a visionary, authentic, and compassionate leader who believed that every one of us could make the world a better place. President Kennedy gave us a mirror in which we can see and strive to be our best selves. His are the values that I want my children to understand, and a reflection of the country I want them to inherit.
Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of being part of a transformation here at the Library, as we’ve grown from a physical destination to a trusted online source of learning, and a virtual gathering place for civic life. By harnessing the power of technology, we have been able to break through physical barriers to meet people where they are – classrooms and coffee shops, libraries and living rooms throughout this country and all over the world.
For me, the most rewarding part of this transformation has been hearing directly from so many of you. Whether through your Profile in Courage Award nomination, a question for our Forum panelists, a photo from your museum visit, or a quote from President Kennedy that you shared with friends – your voices and support amplify our mission and create the connective tissue that helps us bridge the past to the present.
Moving forward, I am excited to work with the Board and dedicated staff at the Foundation to ensure that the Kennedy legacy continues to serve not only as an inspiration to new generations, but also as an engine of his most cherished public ideals – service, citizenship, innovation, tolerance, and creativity. By working together, forging new partnerships, and leveraging opportunities that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago, we can create new access points to the life and work of John F. Kennedy that will propel those ideals long into the future.
Thank you for continuing to be our ambassadors, our sounding board, and our right hand. Your ongoing involvement in and dedication to our work will be critical to our success. I hope you will continue to reach out with your ideas and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Rachel Flor