Janet Ayers serves on the ExcelinEd Board of Directors. She is President of The Ayers Foundation as well as a recognized business leader and philanthropist throughout Tennessee.
Janet Ayers is a recognized business leader and philanthropist throughout Tennessee with more than 20 years of service in health care administration. She has served as the President of The Ayers Foundation since 2007. The Ayers Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of Tennessee by positively affecting the fields of Education, Conservation and Social Welfare. The Ayers Scholars Program is the flagship program of the foundation and provides effective college access and success programing. Currently the foundation is providing comprehensive services to eight high schools and two community colleges in rural West, Middle and East Tennessee. Founded in 1999, the program has shown dramatic success in increasing college-going rates, with over 10,000 students served and currently over 1,800 students in a post-secondary program. All students enrolled at a participating high school receive services from The Ayers Foundation. Since inception, every student has had access to higher education through an individualized plan with a master’s level college access counselor. The Ayers Foundation Scholars Program is more than college access: it prepares and works with each student to provide resources so they are prepared to be college eligible, successful, and work-force ready.