Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson
Eric Cruz
The Foundation in Support of Education Excellence (FSEE) has elected Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson and Eric Cruz as its new co-chairs.
Bracken-Thompson, a partner at Thompson & Bender, and Cruz, vice president of Innovation & Technology at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, will lead the foundation’s fundraising efforts for the Charter School of Educational Excellence, a K-12 public charter school on Warburton Avenue. Both have served on the FSEE’s board for years.
“As I pass the torch, I am filled with confidence and excitement for the future of the Foundation in Support of Educational Excellence. Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson and Eric Cruz bring an extraordinary blend of expertise, vision, and passion to this role. Their leadership will undoubtedly elevate our mission to provide life-changing opportunities for the students of the Charter School of Educational Excellence. I look forward to seeing their efforts create even greater impact in the years ahead,” said Betsy Stern, outgoing chair of the FSEE.
Bracken-Thompson is the creative force behind Thompson & Bender’s success and oversees all aspects of its advertising, integrated marketing, special events, public relations, and strategic planning initiatives. She began her career with Gannett Suburban Newspapers (now The Journal News) and rose to the position of vice president of marketing for Gannett’s entire 10 newspaper group.
Cruz has a proven track record in strategic IT deployment, successful technical solutions, and leadership. He is recognized for motivating teams, strategic planning across markets, and establishing robust networks and cybersecurity protocols in real estate.
“As a long-time supporter of the foundation’s work, I am deeply committed to advancing its mission of providing critical resources for the Charter School of Educational Excellence,” said Bracken-Thompson. “Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation established by Betsy Stern and drive efforts to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.”
“Our shared goal is to expand opportunities for the students of the Charter School of Educational Excellence, empowering them to thrive academically and beyond. With the dedication of our board and community partners, I am confident we can take the foundation’s impact to new heights,” said Cruz.
In addition to the co-chair appointments, Mary Cahill recently joined the board of trustees.
The Charter School of Educational Excellence on Warburton Avenue in Yonkers is a K-12 public charter school with more than 1,000 students. Last year, the Class of 2024 received more than $9 million in college scholarships. Founded in 2005, the school is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025.
