EDC Welcomes Richard Fournier as Partnership Director for EDC Ventures
Richard Fournier, EdD, has rejoined EDC as the partnership director for EDC Ventures. Fournier, an expert in educational systemic change, leadership and culture, and social and emotional learning (SEL), is a former teaching fellow at Harvard University and adjunct faculty member of Lasell University.
Fournier will co-lead a new expansion of EDC’s strategic partnership and fee-for-service work targeted to accelerate improvements in health, mental health, and education outcomes nationwide. He joins EDC from Transforming Education, where he served as a managing partner and guided education leaders’ improvement and innovation efforts across the country.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Fournier has returned to EDC to grow this new initiative,” said EDC senior vice president Cindy Taylor. “He brings an exceptional track record of supporting education leaders in enhancing students’ learning and well-being, keen insight into the challenges and strengths of our country’s education and health systems, and a deep commitment to educational equity and health equity.”
A highly experienced researcher and change consultant, Fournier’s roots in education go deep—he is a former high school political science and history teacher and has a Massachusetts superintendent license—and he frequently publishes on the topics of SEL, school culture, citizenship, and character. He holds an EdM and EdD in Leadership and Policy from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and a BA in History from the University of Maine.
“It feels really great to be back where I started in the nonprofit sector,” Fournier said. “I believe in EDC and am looking forward to contributing in every way I can to sustain and grow our good work.”