Announcing a Leadership Transition at World Ocean School

January 23, 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters of World Ocean School,

When I stepped aboard Roseway as a volunteer Deckhand Educator in 2009, I had no idea what an impact this organization would have on me. World Ocean School has been a transformative experience, and I am honored to have had the privilege of leading this organization as Executive Director for the past eight years. Given all that we have accomplished and the outstanding team we have in place, it is the right time for me to step down as Executive Director and move on to the next chapter in my professional journey.

At World Ocean School, we invest in people. We do this every day through our dedication to quality programs for students as well as through our investment in professional development for our team. Students and staff alike are challenged to grow, evolve, and thrive each and every day. As a testament to this, I am proud to say that during my tenure, nine of us have grown into larger roles within the organization.

I am excited to share that the Board of Directors has selected Captain Jill Hughes, our current Vice President of Advancement and Programs, to succeed me as Executive Director. Captain Hughes has proven herself ready to take the helm through her natural ability to build relationships, her deep understanding of our mission, and her authentic connection to tall ships education. As I've watched her take on increasing responsibility and consistently exceed expectations, it has become clear that she is not just prepared but primed to lead World Ocean School into its next chapter.

The strength and stability we've built as an organization has created an ideal moment for transition. Our programs are thriving, our team is exceptional, and our leadership pipeline is robust. With Jill’s demonstrated leadership capabilities, this internal succession represents both continuity and growth—maintaining our organizational knowledge while bringing a fresh perspective to our future.

Leading World Ocean School has been the most extraordinary journey of my professional life. While I am taking a leap of faith, excited about my next adventure unfolding, my connection to World Ocean School remains deep and lasting.

Thank you for your trust, partnership, and continued support of our vital mission.

With gratitude,

Eden M. Leonard

Executive Director



Dear Friends of World Ocean School,

As you have just read, our talented and beloved Executive Director, Eden Leonard, will be stepping down later this year to pursue new career aspirations.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of World Ocean School, I would like to share my deepest appreciation to Eden for her leadership of this extraordinary organization. World Ocean School has been fortunate to have Eden’s commitment over the past 15 years and, most importantly, her leadership as President and Executive Director for the past eight years. Under Eden’s leadership, WOS has served more than 5,160 students of all ages, built new educational programs including a girls' leadership program and a program for recently arrived immigrants, significantly expanded our donor base allowing us to serve more students, attracted a talented team, acquired and integrated the Denis Sullivan into our programming, built and expanded partnerships with a variety of schools in Boston, St. Croix, and across the country, strengthened our financial position, expanded and grew our Board, and launched a Leadership Advisory Council as well as an Alumni Council. We are incredibly grateful for Eden’s leadership through our transition from our founders eight years ago to the strong foundation we have built together over these years. Please join us in celebrating Eden's incredible legacy and in wishing her well on this next phase of her journey.

I am delighted that, with the unanimous and enthusiastic support of our Board of Directors, Captain Jill Hughes, our current Vice President for Advancement and Programs, will assume the position of Executive Director on March 31, 2025. Jill is an extraordinary leader in the tall ships arena and has worked closely with Eden first as a Relief Captain and then as our Port Captain and V.P. In addition, Jill worked in partnership with Steve Kirk, our Vice President of Operations, to lead the organization with great success during Eden’s recent parental leave.

Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Jill learned to sail on the Great Lakes. She has dedicated her career to sail training, having sailed widely in the American and European sail training fleet, serving as Captain of Hindu, Irving and Exy Johnson, Geronimo, Roseway, and Denis Sullivan. She holds a USCG 1600-ton ocean license, degrees from Boston University and the University of Rhode Island, and acts as Vice Chair for Sail Training International.

While Eden will be greatly missed, the Board of World Ocean School is excited to welcome Jill into her new role and to partner with her and the rest of the team to lead this organization forward. We are confident that World Ocean School’s next chapter will be an exciting and fruitful one.

World Ocean School has always been - and will continue to be - a great team effort. Thank you for being a part of our team! And we hope that you will welcome and support Jill in her new role as Executive Director. Please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions or well wishes.

With gratitude,

Carol J. Rosner

Board Chair

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