The John Paul Stevens Foundation is dedicated to advancing public interest and social justice values in the next generation of American lawyers. Through its leading initiative, the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship Program, the Foundation empowers law students to pursue impactful summer internships with governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations committed to the public good. By eliminating financial barriers as well as providing professional development and networking opportunities, the Fellowship Program reflects Justice Stevens’ belief that a fair and effective justice system requires skilled, principled advocates in public service.

The search resulted in the appointment of Sara L. Woods, Esq. as the new Executive Director.
An innovative, results-oriented leader with extensive experience leading organizational change, Sara has built her career advancing equity, opportunity, and access to justice through nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and education.

Prior to her work with the John Paul Stevens Foundation, Sara served as an independent consultant supporting leadership of philanthropic and nonprofit organizations as well as individuals and families. She advised and coached on capacity building, culture, operations, fundraising, and strategic planning. Her focus on board and staff development, governance, development strategy, and program support helped organizations and individuals achieve goals and maximize impact.

Until 2024, Sara served as the Co-President and CEO of Heights Philadelphia, a nonprofit educational organization that transforms the pathways to college and career for low-income, first-generation-to-college, Black and Brown students. Heights Philadelphia is the merger of Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars, where Sara was the President and CEO of Philadelphia Futures for five years prior to the merger.

Sara previously served as Executive Director of Philadelphia VIP, a nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports lawyers who volunteer to help low-income Philadelphians tackle critical legal problems. She also was the Director of Public Interest Careers and Pro Bono Programs at Villanova University School of Law. She began her legal career as a public interest lawyer representing survivors of domestic violence at Delaware County Domestic Abuse Project and Philadelphia’s Women Against Abuse Legal Center.

Sara serves on the Board of Directors of Community Partnerships School and Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, chairing the Governance Committees of both organizations. She served as President of the Board of Directors of Access Matters, which works to equalize access to sexual and reproductive health care for teens and adults in need, and on the advisory board of the Crime Victims Law Project. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Villanova University School of Law, where she created and taught a Public Interest Lawyering course for thirteen years.

She has been a volunteer leader for Women’s Way, Community Legal Services, and New Directions for Women. She is also an active alumni volunteer with Penn State, participating in the College of Liberal Arts’ mentor, law careers, and Women in Leadership programs, and serving as an alumni admissions interviewer for the Schreyer Honors College.

Sara is a proud graduate of Penn State (B.A.), Villanova University School of Law (J.D.), and Villanova University (M.P.A.).