Jeannie Deakyne - Executive Director
ARLINGTON, TX – The Arlington ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeannie Deakyne to serve as the organization’s Executive Director. Before joining the Foundation, she most recently served as the Vice President of Operations for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.
“Jeannie Deakyne is an experienced community leader with a long history of philanthropic impact,” said Kelly Curnutt, Arlington ISD Education Foundation President. “Her track record of building teams, managing processes, and thinking strategically about philanthropy will serve the Arlington ISD Education Foundation and AISD well. Jeannie’s deep understanding of the District and her relationships are invaluable. We look forward to expanding our impact under her direction.”
Jeannie brings extensive experience in philanthropic grant management and higher education, having worked for over a decade in administrative and teaching roles at Texas Christian University and The University of Texas at Arlington. Her commitment to education and the community is evident outside of her work as well — she is an elected trustee of the Tarrant County College District and has served as a board member of numerous North Texas-based non-profit organizations. Jeannie also served as a United States Army officer for twelve years.
“It’s an honor to lead the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, which has such a strong legacy of assembling our community’s champions for education,” Jeannie said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the AISD and our community to expand the Foundation’s impact, and to empower student success by providing resources for innovative and creative learning opportunities.”
Jeannie graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and holds bachelors and masters degrees in Political Science, with an emphasis in civic engagement. She is a product of the Arlington Independent School District; she and her husband, Will, also have children currently attending schools within the District.
In August, the Foundation initiated a search to fill the organization’s Executive Director role. Jeannie officially started her duties on December 2, 2022.
About the Arlington ISD Education Foundation: The Arlington ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to serve the public school students of Arlington through fulfilling extraordinary educational needs and initiatives. The Foundation achieves its mission by: funding exceptional teaching grants, providing funds for basic needs for at-risk students, and supporting continuing teacher education efforts. To date, the Arlington ISD Education Foundation has distributed more than $2 million for educational resources in AISD classrooms.