Pamela Leins of Mattapan is the new leader of the Boston Educational Development Fund, the fiscal and fundraising partner to the Boston Public Schools. She started at the group’s executive director on July 19 after six years as the director of Planning and Development for Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF).

A first-generation American-born Latina, Pamela is a proud product of Boston Public Schools and Boston Community Centers, now known as BCYF. In addition to her work for youth across the city, she is the owner of In the Cut Boston Barbershop and vice-president of the TAG Association, a nonprofit whose mission is to celebrate Latinx culture, educate our youth, and elevate our community. A graduate of Northeastern University, she is the proud mother of two boys - one incoming BPS kindergartener, and caretaker of two recent BPS graduates.

“There is so much talent and innovation in our BPS community,” Leins said in a statement last week. “And in a resource-rich city like Boston, I am excited to lead a team that will make meaningful connections and partnerships to leverage all of our resources for the greatest impact, particularly as we recover from dual pandemics.”

BEDF facilitates access to philanthropic funding and administers these resources to sustain and expand educational opportunities for students, educators, and families. In the last 10 years alone, BEDF has administered nearly $110 million in private external funding to support numerous educational initiatives and programs across BPS.

Prior to her work with the City of Boston, Pamela was Senior Education Manager at Junior Achievement of Northern New England (JANNE). Her resume also boasts positions at ROCA and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS).

“BEDF is thrilled to welcome Pamela Leins as its first Executive Director and greatly looks forward to Pamela’s work to strengthen and implement our organizational vision, fundraising, and financial strategies, in furtherance of our mission,” said Essence McGill Arzu, Esq., BEDF Board President and Partner at the Arzu Law Group LLC. “Her extraordinary enthusiasm and passion for supporting youth, education, diversity, and community, coupled with her strengths of engaging with people and building strategic partnerships will help drive BEDF forward into its next phase.”