Dear partners, colleagues, and friends, 

I am excited to be writing today as a full-time employee, and the first CEO, of Lyra. 

This is a move I have anticipated for the better part of a year as Lyra’s partnerships with education communities across the state of Colorado have continued to flourish and deepen. When I founded Lyra back in 2019 as a pilot initiative around Gates Family Foundation’s educator empowerment and innovation zones work, I had no idea what might be possible.

‍Since our inception, Lyra has successfully advanced major statewide legislation protecting school autonomy {INSERT LINK TO SB 22-197 NEWS POST} , supported in the establishment of rural education collaboratives across Colorado with long-term sustainable governance structures in place, implemented climate-related career and education pathways across five regional hubs, and, in response to COVID-19, served as a hub organization helping multiple funders come together to deploy resources to education communities across the state. Lyra has also been instrumental in catalyzing nearly $15 million in funding to support rural climate education innovation. And we are only just getting started.

As I think about what’s to come, I am most energized about the possibility of the work we can (and will) accomplish together to improve how education can be more responsive to the needs of our young people and those working closest with them. Our philosophy has always been to leverage the strong constellation of partners already doing this important work. 

We are excited and humbled to be able to deepen our work and community with you. 

In partnership,


Mary Seawell
Founder & CEO
Lyra
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For more information on Lyra’s team and work, visit www.lyracolorado.org.  
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