Fiona Luck Joins Knowledge Quest Board
The scholarship charity Knowledge Quest recently held its annual summer party at Bacardi headquarters on Pitts Bay Road. Gathered together were current scholarship recipients, graduates, donors, volunteers and directors.
Bacardi HR Director Alana Rogers took the lectern and stated that this is one of her favorite events of the year and that Bacardi has hosted either the Christmas or summer parties for the past 10 years and has been a donor for the past 11 years.
Co-President Kathy Lines congratulated Bacardi on its 50th anniversary, thanked them for their long-term support which enabled Knowledge Quest to make multi-year pledges that were critical to its operation. She introduced Fiona Luck as director who joined in 2015 and thanked her for her significant contributions in the areas of strategic planning and fund-raising.
Past Chief of Staff of XL Capital and currently a Director of the Bermuda Monetary Authority and a Trustee of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Ms. Luck stated that she found Knowledge Quest a particularly inspiring educational charity.
She stated that the model of allocating all donor funds to the scholarships with no overhead expense is very rare and that donors consequently were enthusiastic about the high level of efficiency and effectiveness with scholarship recipients.
Co-President Cynthia Cox stated that Knowledge Quest has spent $3.1 million since inception on scholarships with the only other expense being bank charges which totaled $34,000 over the past 13 years. She thanked PWC for donating the annual audit.
She noted that the Green Family worked in conjunction with Knowledge Quest and had donated an additional $1 million towards scholarships. Scholarships are intended to provide last resort support to Bermudians of limited financial means.
Knowledge Quest scholarships are awarded last after all other scholarships to ensure that only those in need will receive required funding.
Director Eneye Jatto thanked the charity’s volunteers and encouraged more graduates to volunteer for KQ and elsewhere in Bermuda.
Director Kerry Fletcher introduced current student Jennifer Chisnall [2014] and graduates Shannon Swan [2008] and Jecoa Tucker [2007] who spoke to the gathering about their individual stories while long-time Directors Gigi Barit [Secretary] and Ricky Lines [Treasurer] also were in attendance.
