(NEWARK, NJ) -- On December 15, 2020, the GlassRoots Board of Trustees announced that Barbara Heisler, CEO, will leave the groundbreaking Newark arts program after nearly eight years to pursue new opportunities in social impact and entrepreneurism.
GlassRoots engages youth and young adults in creative glass art making and the development of entrepreneurial and life skills. The GlassRoots Board has hired an executive search consultant to identify a successor.
“We are grateful for all of Barbara’s contributions to expanding GlassRoots’ mission and footprint dramatically, and we wish her the very best. We look forward to working with Barbara in a different capacity as she will continue advocating for GlassRoots through work with donors and funders on our behalf,” said Roger C. Tucker III, president of GlassRoots’ Board of Directors. “Our next executive director will build upon Barbara’s successes and lead the organization’s transition to larger studios and bigger programs. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in the Newark Arts Commons building will allow us to invite and interact with more schools, artists and introduce glass arts to communities throughout Newark and New Jersey.”
Always an innovator, Heisler led GlassRoots to new heights transforming a small after-school program into a highly respected art and education nonprofit with strong financials and creative community partnerships. Highlights of her tenure include a world-class scientific glass program where students learned how to repair glass instruments for New Jersey pharmaceutical companies. GlassRoots recently announced a new program with University Hospital, using glass art to help heal trauma patients. Today, GlassRoots is a working studio for dozens of artists. Corporations and nonprofits also commission GlassRoots’ teaching staff to create beautiful glass awards.
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve GlassRoots,” said Heisler. “The GlassRoots team and the network of nonprofit organizations and glass arts organizations we work with are made up of amazing individuals filled with passion and talent. It has been an exceptional experience to a part of such a high-impact network, to see such growth and impact; I look forward to working with my successor on a seamless transition of responsibilities.”
Last month, Ms. Heisler was recognized by the NJ Chamber of Commerce for innovative thinking and inspired entrepreneurship, qualities she says are reflected in GlassRoots’ operations and programs. Over the past eight years, under Ms. Heisler’s leadership, GlassRoots has served over 15,000 students; with over 20,000 participating in virtual programming begun during this pandemic. In addition, GlassRoots has consistently received the Gold Seal of Approval by Candid (GuideStar, Inc.) an information service that reports on U.S. nonprofit companies.
GlassRoots is a Newark-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for achievement to youth and young adults by engaging them in the creation of glass art and the development of entrepreneurial and life skills. GlassRoots programs are STEAM-based (STEM+Art), and are offered as in-school residencies, after-school and summer arts programs, workforce development programs, and as workshops for teens and adults, using competency in handling molten glass as a pathway to personal development.
