Kurn Hattin alumna Lyssa Jackson was recently awarded the 2016 Catherine Hershey Alumni of the Year Award by the Coalition of Residential Excellence (CORE). At the CORE Annual Residential Excellence Conference, Catherine Hershey Residential Education Awards were presented to honor outstanding staff, students and supporters whose steadfast contributions and dedication exemplified the essence of residential education. Lyssa, who had not been able to attend the conference, later received the award from Kurn Hattin Homes Executive Director, Steve Harrison at Kurn Hattin’s Annual Alumni Association Meeting. She declared that “Kurn Hattin helped me become the person that I am supposed to be.”
Lyssa Jackson, Class of 2008, excelled during her four years at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, and went on to flourish academically and occupationally. After Kurn Hattin, Lyssa attended The Putney School on a full scholarship. There, she served for two years as the youngest student to ever join the Board of Trustees. Lyssa developed a passion for fundraising, and worked in development for The Putney School and Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities in Keene, New Hampshire. In 2012, Lyssa was named “Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Northern New England for raising over $5,000 for Kurn Hattin. She was an Opportunity Program Scholarship Student at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Business. At Skidmore, Lyssa served The Student Government Association as a Senator and was President for Communications and Outreach. She founded and served as co-president of Skidmore Women in Business through which engaged a large network of students and alumni, hosted an acclaimed author on campus, and attended conferences at Wharton School of Business and Harvard Business School. In addition to her leadership roles, she worked as a Career Coach in Skidmore’s Career Development Office and as a consultant for local business and nonprofits through The Saratoga Springs Consulting Partnership.
Lyssa is a recipient of the 2015 Hapeman Distinquished Service Award (Skidmore College), the 2015 International Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Award (Zonta International), and a 2016 Wall Street Journal Award. Currently, Lyssa works as an Executive Team Leader at Target Corporation, and is an Incorporator and Alumni Association Vice-President for Kurn Hattin Homes for Children.
Since 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children has helped thousands of at-risk children and their families by offering a safe home and quality education in a nurturing environment. Its mission: Kurn Hattin transforms the lives of children and their families forever.
CAPTION: Lyssa Jackson, Class of 2008, accepts her CORE Award from Kurn Hattin Homes Executive Director, Stephen Harrison.