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Stephen Sye appointed executive director of Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation

August 22, 2018

The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on enhancing Delaware through identifying bold and innovative entrepreneurial ideas, announced the hiring of Stephen Sye as its new executive director.

“Stephen has a wealth of knowledge and experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His leadership skills and enthusiasm for the entrepreneurial community of Delaware were a perfect match for the vision of the board and this foundation,” said Scott Malfitano, board chairman.

Sye is a native of southern New Jersey, but has been a Delaware resident for almost 10 years. He attended Tower Hill School and University of Delaware. His studies also include Western International University, and Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

During his professional career, he has successfully overseen strategic implementation and execution of business operations for multimillion-dollar corporations and nonprofit organizations spanning the financial, health and wellness, medical and education sectors. He has consistently achieved business growth though membership, sponsorship and advertising, and fundraising.

Most recently, he rebranded the International Reading Association to the International Literacy Association, generating $4 million in business revenue for the relaunch event.

“The level of excitement that I feel to work alongside a board of directors of this caliber to improve the lives of Delawareans is indescribable. I am truly honored to have been selected for this important position and look forward to the positive impact the foundation will have on Delaware’s landscape for years to come. I have seen the transformative power that one idea can have on citizens and communities, and know that there are many more out there just waiting to be identified,” said Sye.

As executive director of The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, Sye will be responsible for directing critical initiatives that support its mission. He will oversee the foundation’s two major initiatives: presentation of the Pete du Pont Freedom Award and identification of innovative, impactful ideas that enhance Delaware through the Reinventing Delaware event series. He will continue to grow the foundation through fundraising, revenue generation strategies and brand visibility activities.

For the past seven years, Sye has been the associate executive director of ILA, based in Newark. Prior to his time at ILA, he held positions in the American College of Physicians in Philadelphia, and FirstUSA Bank/Bank One Corporation in Wilmington.

Sye is also a current fellow of Leadership Delaware Inc. class of 2018.

The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation was founded in 2003 to carry out the legacy of Gov. Pete du Pont by focusing on opportunities for success in Delaware. The foundation works to ensure that Delaware continuously reinvents itself to become a better place to live, work and raise a family.

For more information, go to www.petedupontfreedomfoundation.org.

 

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