Step Up For Students Announces Promotion of David Heroux to Vice President, Head of Federal Scholarship Tax Program

Step Up For Students is proud to announce the promotion of David Heroux to Vice President of the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, a key initiative focused on expanding educational opportunity for students and families across Florida.

In his new role, David will lead the continued development and growth of the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, which connects donor support to life-changing education options for K–12 students. As the organization prepares for the launch of the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarship program in 2027, David’s leadership will play a critical role in ensuring more families have access to the resources they need to support their students’ learning journey.

David brings a strong record of leadership and service to this role. Most recently, he served as Associate Vice President of School and Provider Services at Step Up For Students, where he worked closely with schools and service providers to strengthen partnerships and improve access to high-quality educational options. His work has helped streamline processes, providers, dramatically grow the pool of approved service providers, and enhance the overall experience for the thousands of families served each year.

A Vision for Expanding Opportunity

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for students and families,” said David. “This is an incredible opportunity to expand access to life-changing educational options for more students across Florida. With the Education Freedom Tax Credit creating new pathways for scholarship funding, we have an unprecedented chance to help even more families access learning environments that best meet their students’ unique needs. I’m excited to continue working alongside an exceptional team, our partners, and families to broaden opportunity, strengthen educational choice, and empower students to thrive.”

A Trusted Leader for a Growing Initiative

Gretchen Schoenhaar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Step Up For Students, shared her support for David’s new role:

“David brings a deep understanding of our mission and the families we serve, along with the leadership and expertise needed to guide this important work forward. His significant experience working across schools, providers, and internal teams gives him a unique perspective that will strengthen the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund as it continues to grow. We’re excited to see the impact he will make in this new role.”

Looking Ahead

The Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund represents an important step forward in expanding access to education for students across Florida. With a focus on removing financial barriers and empowering families, the program will help ensure more students can access the learning environments and resources that best meet their needs. David’s promotion underscores Step Up For Students’ commitment to strong leadership, strategic growth, and helping every student succeed.

Meet the Team: Jenna Cooper

At the heart of every great system is someone who quietly asks the right questions and cares deeply about the people those systems are built to serve, and that’s where Jenna Cooper, our Business Analyst, shines. Jenna brings a thoughtful, steady presence to Step Up, Step Further, helping translate complex ideas into solutions that work for families, schools, and students alike. Her work is grounded in listening first, understanding the “why” behind every process, and ensuring that what we build truly supports parents and guardians as they navigate important decisions for their children. Jenna’s care for the mission shows up in the details, and those details make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

To give you a closer look at the person behind the work, we asked Jenna a few questions about her role, her perspective, and what drives her passion for supporting families and students.

Q: Jenna, what’s the most rewarding part about your role?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that the work I do ultimately helps students receive the education they need to succeed. Even though my role focuses on analysis, processes, and systems, I see how improving workflows and aligning teams directly supports families in accessing scholarships and educational opportunities.

Q: What impact do you feel that Step Further will have on Florida students?
A: I feel that it has the potential to provide students with the ability to access programs that match their needs, learning styles, and aspirations.

Q: What three words come to mind when you think about Step Further?
A: Purpose-driven, Evolving, Forward-thinking

Q: Can you describe the culture at Step Further?
A: The culture at Step Up, Step Further is mission-driven, collaborative, and focused on impact.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: Mulan

Q: What would be the greatest outcome of a child receiving a Step Further Scholarship?

A: The greatest outcome would be removing barriers so that a student can fully engage in learning and succeed in an environment designed to support them.