Jose Herrera, former executive director of the Valley of the Sun YMCA in Phoenix, has been named new executive director of the Vermont Bar Foundation, effective May 9. He will succeed Debbie Bailey, who retired last December, and Josie Leavitt, who has served as interim director since January.
Herrera’s nonprofit background, combined with a passion for creating partnerships and a philanthropic culture among his colleagues and community, will help advance the foundation’s mission of increasing access to justice for low-income and underserved Vermonters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jose as our new executive director,” said board President Renee Mobbs. “Jose will bring a fresh perspective to our work as well as a deep commitment to strengthening the foundation’s existing relationships and building new ones.”
Previous to his work at the Valley of the Sun YMCA, Herrera led the member services team at the Arizona Society of CPAs, served as vice chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission and directed fundraising for the Maricopa Community Colleges.
He holds a bachelor's in international affairs and a master's in educational leadership, both from Northern Arizona University.