The Vanguard School and Services celebrates and thanks outgoing Board Vice Chair, Victoria Moschella, for nearly a decade of service! We recently asked her to reflect on her journey with the organization and the moments that have made the greatest impact. Victoria’s connection to Vanguard began through her employer’s community grant program. What started as a corporate partnership quickly deepened into a leadership experience.

“After meeting the Executive Team and touring the campus, I was amazed that this hidden gem existed within our community,” she shared. “Then I met the students—and that’s when everything came together for me.”

That connection ultimately led Victoria to join Vanguard’s Board of Trustees, where she has spent the past nine years advocating for students, supporting strategic initiatives, and helping create opportunities beyond the classroom.One initiative especially close to her heart is Vanguard’s VIP Program, which provides students with real-world workplace experiences. Victoria believes these opportunities are transformative—not only for students and their families, but also for employers.

“The VIP Program demonstrates that there are opportunities for students to perform meaningful work based on their skill sets,” she said. “It’s a win-win. Students gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment, while organizations see firsthand the value these young people bring to the workplace.”

When asked about a moment that has stayed with her throughout her years at Vanguard, Victoria recalled meeting a student named Michael during one of Vanguard’s earliest VIP cohorts. Learning how much he had grown during his time at Vanguard reinforced the power of the organization’s mission.

“I saw the impact of how the right support for these students could change their future,” she said. “It validated the importance of the work we were all doing.”

Looking ahead, Victoria is excited about Vanguard’s continued focus on helping families navigate life after graduation and expanding opportunities for neurodiverse individuals to thrive in adulthood. If she had to describe Vanguard in just a few words, one stands above the rest: Commitment.

“Every person who works at Vanguard, serves on the Board, or provides opportunities for our students is committed to helping them become their best selves.”

Victoria, thank you for your leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to Vanguard’s mission. Your impact on our students, families, and community will be felt for years to come.