Chess in the Schools is excited to announce that Dr. Jenny D. Ingber was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Chess in the Schools. Dr. Ingber takes the leadership over from Ms. Debbie Eastburn who is retiring after having served in this role for seven years.

“I am thrilled to lead Chess in the Schools as there is exceptional potential for the ways in which learning and playing chess can support academic and social growth in children and youth. The life-skills Chess in the Schools offers young people transcend beyond school into home and career. I am looking forward to seeing CIS participants flourish through their participation,” – said Dr. Ingber.

Mark Maher, CIS’s Chair of the Board, added:

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we warmly welcome Jenny to the remarkable Chess in the Schools family! With her wealth of experience and unwavering dedication as an educator, we are privileged to have her on our team. In this moment, we also pause to express our profound gratitude to Debbie for her many years of devoted service. Her unyielding commitment and invaluable contributions have shaped the very essence of our organization. As we embark on this new chapter with Jenny, we eagerly anticipate the infusion of fresh perspectives and the transformative impact that will further fortify Chess in the Schools. Together, let us continue to empower and nurture the future leaders of tomorrow. Welcome, Jenny, and thank you, Debbie, for your extraordinary dedication.”

Dr. Ingber comes to Chess in the Schools from the American Museum of Natural History, where she served as Director of the Children and Family Learning Program for more than seven years. Jenny has a Ph.D. in Science Education from Teachers College at Columbia University and an MS in Teaching Chemistry from NYU. She has led a variety of educational programs and developed comprehensive teaching curricula at major nonprofits and colleges, including Bank Street College of Education and the California Science Project at the University of California, Los Angeles. At Chess in the Schools, Dr. Ingber will lead the organization’s efforts in providing high-quality scholastic programming to tens of thousands of students across New York City’s five boroughs and hopes to expand CIS’s offerings using a data-driven approach that is aligned with CIS’ mission.

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Chess in the Schools (CIS) is a New York City based non-profit organization that fosters the intellectual and social development of low-income youth through chess education. Since its inception in 1986, Chess in the Schools has taught chess to more than half a million students. All CIS programs are free of charge to all participants. Through classroom instruction in 40+ New York City public schools, after-school chess clubs, college access services, and weekly scholastic tournaments, CIS reaches annually 10,000+ students helping them develop analytic and social-emotional skills, confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to succeed in school and lead productive and fulfilling lives in the future. www.chessintheschools.org

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