Irene Jacobs BS ’78 is committed to creating a world where all children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. She attests that her RIT education provided her with the knowledge about how to be a change agent in the world and taught her the value of laughter and light-heartedness in the face of dealing with challenging social problems such as poverty and injustice. 
 
Since March of 2009, she has served as a consultant for government, philanthropy, and non-profit organizations. Her clients include the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, University of Arizona and First Things First, Arizona's early childhood development and health organization. Previously, Irene served on Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano's Executive Team as Senior Policy Advisor and Director of the Office of Children, Youth & Families, overseeing eight divisions in the governor's office that served the community on the issues of early childhood education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, youth development, juvenile justice, domestic violence, women and children's health, finance and community relations. 
 
Ms. Jacobs believes that the optimum time to positively impact a child's success is during the first years of life. She has put her belief into action through her work as director of the State School Readiness Board, serving from 2003 until she was promoted to Senior Policy Advisor in 2006. The board's work guided the Governor's actions pertaining to early education and laid a foundation for First Things First. Ms. Jacobs serves on the Board of Directors of Educare of Arizona, United Healthcare Children's Foundation, and the Clothes Helping Kids Foundation. Prior to her transition to consulting, she served on the boards of the Arizona Early Education Funds, Arizona Grantmaker's Forum, Interagency Council on Homelessness and Arizonan Substance Abuse Partnership.