People on the Move: Mercedes McAndrew, New Chair of Fogarty Foundation

People on the Move: Mercedes McAndrew, New Chair of Fogarty Foundation

The Fogarty Foundation announced its new board chair.

The Foundation supports people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and it seeks to support inclusive programs, research and organizations that provide services to improve and enhance the quality of life for Rhode Island individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

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The message from the organization’s new chair, Mercedes McAndrew, states:

 

My name is Mercedes, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Chair of the John E. Fogarty Foundation.

For the past 15 years, our organization has been led by an incredible leader, my mother, Mary Fogarty McAndrew, who has worked tirelessly, alongside our board and community members, to advocate for Rhode Islanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

Throughout her tenure, she has remained deeply committed to the Foundation's mission: funding non-profit organizations that develop innovative, inclusive programs to improve and enhance the quality of life for Rhode Islanders with IDD. Thanks to her leadership, Fogarty has raised millions of dollars over multiple decades, turning that mission into a meaningful, lasting impact. 

My grandfather would be so proud of her. Having served on the Foundation's board since 2018, I have had a front-row seat to this incredible work, and I couldn't be more honored to now carry forward the legacy my mother has built.

As I step into this new role, I am excited to bring new and creative ideas to The Fogarty Foundation, and I am looking forward to growing our partnerships with more organizations and lawmakers in our state who are aligned with our mission and want to make a real difference.

Together, I believe we can affect even more positive change and provide greater opportunities for people with IDD, and I'm ready to get to work.

Lastly, if you are interested in partnering with us here at The John E. Fogarty Foundation, I want to meet you! Feel free to email me at [email protected]. Together we can #givethegreenlight to meaningful opportunities for the IDD community here in the Ocean State.