Foundation appoints city woman as officer

The new program officer holds a master’s degree from YSU.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Raymond John Wean Foundation has named Jennifer E. Roller, a lifelong resident of Youngstown, to the newly created position of program officer for urban affairs and neighborhoods.

The Wean Foundation is the largest foundation in the Mahoning Valley with approximately $90 million dollars in assets, traditionally contributing more than $4 million yearly in grants.

In her new position, Roller reports to the president of the foundation and meets with perspective grantees and evaluates funding proposals. She will be responsible for grassroots grant-making programs in Youngstown and Warren, and her first effort will be to develop these programs. Roller is the first black foundation program officer in the Mahoning Valley, foundation officials said.

Her professional credentials include holding the position of director for Upward Bound and director for SCOPE at Youngstown State University. Roller’s professional affiliations include the American College Personnel Association, Mid American Association of Equal Opportunity in Program Personnel and the Ohio Association of Equal Opportunity.

Roller holds a master of science degree from Youngstown State University in education, with emphasis on counseling and student personnel services.

She has a background in community involvement, working with such groups as the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries Board of Directors, Youngstown City Schools Mentoring Committee and Youngstown Urban Minority Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outreach Program.

The Raymond John Wean Foundation, founded in 1949 by Raymond John Wean, enhances community well-being and vitality, particularly through grants to people in economically disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods in the Mahoning Valley.