The Dr. Seuss Foundation Celebrates Leadership Transition and Continued Commitment to Early Learning

The Dr. Seuss Foundation is pleased to announce a leadership transition that will take effect this September. Jay Hill, who has served as Executive Director since 2020, will join the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and Katie Rast will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer. Read on for the official press release.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 10, 2025) — The Dr. Seuss Foundation is pleased to announce a leadership transition that underscores its enduring commitment to early childhood education and the development of confident learners throughout the San Diego community. On September 1, Jay Hill, who has served as Executive Director since 2020, will join the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Katie Rast, a respected civic and nonprofit leader, will formally step into the role of the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer.

As its first employee, Hill brought to the Foundation a deep commitment to advancing literacy and learning, drawing on his prior experience leading the Library Foundation San Diego. During his tenure, he advanced the Foundation’s mission to promote learning, foster imagination, and expand opportunity for all children. He championed new partnerships, broadened the Foundation’s reach, and launched impactful programs. Under his leadership, the Foundation collaborated with San Diego Foundation on a $15 million “Ready to Learn” initiative and partnered with First 5 San Diego for the “Talk, Read, Sing with Dr. Seuss” campaign—celebrating the power of stories, songs, and conversations in early brain development.

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as Executive Director of The Dr. Seuss Foundation,” said Hill. “Our work is rooted in the belief that in education and literacy, anything is possible—the same spirit found throughout the world of Dr. Seuss. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and look forward to supporting this mission in my new role as Trustee.”

Incoming CEO Katie Rast brings more than two decades of experience leading community-based initiatives that advance education, civic engagement, and innovation. She most recently served as the Director of Community Impact at San Diego Foundation, where she developed and directed programs focused on ensuring children and families have access to economic opportunity, strong foundations for lifelong educational success, and the supportive services required to thrive.

“It’s a privilege to lead The Dr. Seuss Foundation at a time when investment in early learning is more important than ever,” said Rast. “I’m excited to build on the Foundation’s powerful legacy and to champion strategies that ensure every child has the support and opportunity to succeed.”

Rast brings a demonstrated dedication to strategic philanthropic investment and a deep commitment to early education and literacy to her new role at the Foundation. Over her nine-year tenure at San Diego Foundation, she played a key role in generating more than $40 million in donor support and managing nearly $90 million in grantmaking. She also led the development of the Early Childhood Initiative, which has significantly expanded access to early learning and care in the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Katie as the CEO of The Dr. Seuss Foundation,” said Brian Schottlaender, President of the Foundation. “Her values, leadership, and deep roots in the community align powerfully with our mission. With Katie’s vision and Jay’s continued support as Trustee, we are well-positioned to deepen our impact in the years ahead.”

Since its inception, the Foundation has gifted more than $300 million to charitable causes. For more information about the Dr. Seuss Foundation and its investment in the San Diego community, visit www.drseussfoundation.org.

About The Dr. Seuss Foundation

The Dr. Seuss Foundation believes in the critical importance of early childhood education and funds programs that promote learning, foster imagination, and help expand opportunities for all. The Dr. Seuss Foundation recognizes and invests in five interconnected forms of literacy. Our community initiatives cultivate everything from social development to mathematical reasoning to environmental awareness, often strengthening multiple types of literacy at the same time. Learn more at www.drseussfoundation.org.

Contact: Jaclyn Walian, jwalian@migcom.com