The youth sailing training charity Endeavour has announced Jennifer Pitcher as its first executive director.

Board chairman Tom Miller said Ms Pitcher’s operational excellence, practical skills and passion for youth development had “earned her the esteem of Endeavour’s board, staff as well as donors and community partners”.

She has worked with Endeavour since its inception in 2015.

Her initial involvement helped to establish Endeavour’s programmes as part of her role as community outreach manager during the 35th America’s Cup, held in Bermuda in 2017.

Ms Pitcher led programme design and curriculum development over the past five years as Endeavour’s community engagement, development and partnerships manager.

Mr Miller said: “Jennifer’s collaborative leadership style, enthusiasm for Endeavour’s work and proven record of programme design will help to further advance the mission of the organisation.”

He said the programme would be “well positioned under her leadership to thrive in the years to come”.

Ms Pitcher’s non-profit experience includes two decades in leadership roles focused on youth development and community engagement initiatives.

She has worked in Bermuda’s non-profit sector since 2011.

“I am very proud to be part of this amazing organisation and honoured to work with a dedicated team that is making a meaningful difference in young lives across Bermuda every day,” Ms Pitcher said.

She comes to the new role with a bachelor of arts honours degree in international development from the University of Guelph.

Ms Pitcher completed the non-profit leadership development programme, achieving a Certificate in Non-profit Management, at the University of Wisconsin, followed by a Certificate in Non-profit Management from Duke University in 2019, with support from the Bermuda Community Foundation.