Welcoming Jesse Soloff ’08, Celebrating Megan, and 2024 Impact Educators

Dear Morehead-Cains,

I hope this message finds each of you rejuvenated as we begin a new year and academic semester here in Chapel Hill.

While the new academic term begins on Wednesday, we have already seen plenty of activity at the Foundation in 2024. This week, we will announce our finalists for our Class of 2028. We will also complete the installation of a lift to improve accessibility within the Foundation building, furthering our commitment to ensuring all scholars can flourish in our programming. 

Today, we publicly announce our 2024 Impact Educators: 445 K–12 educators who have been named by our semifinalists for the exemplary ways in which they have shaped student learning and leadership. This cohort of extraordinary teachers represents thirty-five states, the District of Columbia, and twelve countries. I hope you’ll take a moment to read more about these outstanding educators who power our mission and develop tomorrow’s leaders.

We are also excited to announce that Jesse Soloff ’08 has joined the Foundation as its first-ever vice president of community. Jesse brings to the role extensive experience in partnership activation, cross-functional team leadership, and strategic relationship building. Jesse will weave community among diverse “cousins” across fields, backgrounds, and geographies. 

You can learn more about Jesse here or write to him at [email protected]. He also plans to be at many of the Alumni Regional Events this spring and summer, the full schedule for which will be shared later this month.

Our Program continues to evolve, and we look forward to working with all of our alumni to strengthen and accelerate leadership development within and beyond the Program. Of course, we can’t talk about leadership without acknowledging the legacy that Vice President Megan Mazzocchi has created here at Morehead-Cain. Megan begins her 40th and final year at the Foundation this month, and will retire on January 24, 2025. We will celebrate Megan throughout the next twelve months, and we look forward to sharing stories about her many extraordinary contributions to the Program. 

I am grateful for the ways in which Megan has shaped my thinking as we build Morehead-Cain for the future. Jesse will take on some of the responsibilities Megan has carried over the years, while also working with extraordinary colleagues to bring new programs and opportunities to life. Other responsibilities falling under Megan’s purview will move to other leaders within our team, which will grow and evolve to enhance our work to identify, invest in, and empower leaders. We will continue to add exceptional leaders to our team in 2024 and beyond, and look forward to sharing new opportunities at the Foundation with our alumni community.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of the news shared today, you can visit our Year in Review shared over the holidays and listen to my conversation with Benny Klein ’25 on the Catalyze podcast.

I’m very grateful for and humbled by the support we receive from our alumni. Thank you for being an integral part of our shared successes. 

In gratitude,

Chris Bradford
Morehead-Cain President