The Echo Foundation Announces Leadership Transition: Stephanie Ansaldo to Pass Torch to Stacey Schanzlin
February 4, 2025
Bojan Cukic—Chair, Board of Trustees
Dear fellow humanitarians, colleagues and friends,
As the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Echo Foundation, I would like to share that after 27 years of dedicated leadership, Stephanie Ansaldo, President and Co-Founder, has stepped down from her role, effective January 1st, 2025. Stacey Schanzlin, a seasoned leader with a distinguished record of past engagement with Echo, has been appointed as the new President.
For 27 years, Ansaldo has served as the driving force behind The Echo Foundation, her leadership marked by an unwavering commitment to its mission of promoting human dignity, justice, and moral courage. Under her guidance, Echo has become a vital resource for the Charlotte community, bringing to the city 19 Nobel Laureates and 53 global humanitarians to engage with students and the broader community. Encouraged by the words of Elie Wiesel — ‘You can’t stop now; you must do more’— her vision has touched hundreds of thousands of students through Echo’s transformative programming.
Ansaldo's accomplishments are many. She spearheaded the development of annual curricula, available free of charge to educators everywhere, empowering teachers to engage students in global humanitarian issues. She also led the Footsteps Global Initiative, a transformative study and travel program for high school students, taking them to Rwanda, Bosnia, Ukraine, Cuba, and other locations to witness firsthand the tragedies of conflict and humanitarian struggles that follow. These programs have provided invaluable opportunities for students to explore complex issues, develop empathy, and become active participants in creating a more just and compassionate world.
The Echo Foundation is thrilled to welcome Stacey Schanzlin as its new President. Schanzlin’s connection with Echo began in 2018 when she joined the organization as Program Director. Her passion for education, coupled with a desire to make a meaningful impact in the community, drew her to the foundation. Her interest sparked after seeing Elie Wiesel speak in Charlotte at Echo's 10th-anniversary event. She brings a unique blend of experience to the role, combining her passion for education and community service with her strong business acumen. Schanzlin's background includes a 15-year career in management consulting, specializing in process optimization, operations, and system integration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American University and an MBA from Emory University. A deep believer in the power of education, Schanzlin is dedicated to working with and inspiring both students and teachers. The Board of Trustees is confident that Schanzlin's vision and expertise will build upon the strong foundation laid by Ansaldo and guide Echo into a new era of growth and impact.
The Echo Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to Ansaldo for her exceptional leadership, unwavering vision, and tireless commitment. Her passion and dedication have shaped the foundation into the impactful organization it is today.
n the words of Elie Wiesel, referring to The Echo Foundation: “Driven by a sense of urgency, Echo’s struggle against hatred and indifference has already reverberated far beyond Charlotte and North Carolina, and in the years to come, we will continue to “…inspire youth, affect society and occupy a place of honor on the national scene.” By engaging future leaders on critical issues of human rights and social justice, the foundation will strengthen its commitment to build a community that values human dignity, justice, and moral courage.
Bojan Cukic
Chair, Board of Trustees