OUR COMMUNITY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Retired
- Retired / East Lansing High School
Job Titles:
- Board of Trustees Staff Member
- Chairman of the Board
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Associate Broker
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- First Vice President - Investment Officer
- First Vice President - Investment Officer / Wells Fargo
Job Titles:
- Board of Trustees Staff Member
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Director K - 12 Outreach
- Treasurer / Director K - 12 Outreach
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Accounting & Operations Associate
Carley joined the Community Foundation in May of 2023. Prior to her move back to the area, she worked in commercial banking in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Carley is a graduate of Michigan State University's Broad College of Business, and she is fluent in Anishinaabemowin, the native language of her Ojibwe Tribe. In her free time, Carley likes to spend as much time as she can outdoors, running 5K's in support of local charities with her German Shepherd named Beatrice, hiking, or reading a good book.
As Accounting & Operations Associate, Carley assists with Foundation finances, internal controls, human resources, and operations. She works closely with the CFO & Vice President of Operations, President & CEO, and the rest of the staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- CIO / IT Executive
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Special Projects Manager
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Christine has been in an administrative role since graduating from LCC with an Executive Secretarial degree many years ago. After taking time off to raise her children, she has held roles within a church, a health association that included government relations, and now at the Foundation. Since joining the Community Foundation in 2020, she has come to appreciate what the Foundation stands for and our role in the community. She is currently working toward her PACE certification to help further her aspirations as a professional assistant.
As Administrative Assistant, Christine works closely with and supports the whole Community Foundation team, board and staff. She greets donors and visitors to the office, prepares meetings and correspondence, and maintains our organizational database.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Vice President of Community Investment
Cindy has over thirty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has served as an executive director of several organizations and has direct fundraising experience in higher education, healthcare, and cultural organizations. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and a master's degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
As Vice President of Community Investment, Cindy leads the Foundation's grantmaking programs and builds relationships with nonprofits in the community with support from the community investment team. She works closely with her team, the rest of the leadership team, and the rest of the office.
Job Titles:
- Board of Trustees Staff Member
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Retired Executive Director, Human Resources
- Vice Chair / Secretary / Retired Executive Director, Human Resources
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Director of Communications & Events
Jessica earned her bachelor's degree in arts and humanities, with a minor in peace and justice studies, from Michigan State University. It was at MSU that Jessica found her passion for the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Community Foundation in 2019, she interned at the John F. Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera, served as the production coordinator for a world premiere of a play in Detroit, and worked at Jackson. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling.
As Director of Communications & Events, Jessica is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the Foundation's goals. She oversees all storytelling, content creation, social media management, website maintenance, and advertising efforts. Additionally, she plans and executes all external events and manages the organization's database. She works closely with the President & CEO, along with the rest of the staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Partner
- Partner / Wieber Pratl
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Vice President of Operations
Kristin joined the Community Foundation in June 2016. Prior to her work at the Foundation, she worked 13 years at Ele's Place. She is a lifelong Mid-Michigan resident and graduated from Davenport University with honors. Kristin brings 20 years' worth of experience in the nonprofit sector.
As CFO & Vice President of Operations, Kristin oversees all aspects of the Foundation's finances, internal controls, operations, and human resource management. She works closely with the finance & operations associate, president & CEO, and the rest of the staff. Along with the leadership team, Kristin is passionate about supporting and leading the Foundation to achieve its mission.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Community Investment Associate
After receiving a bachelor's in marketing from Michigan State, LaToya's passion for community called her home to Lansing and to the nonprofit world here at the Community Foundation. She has been a customer service professional for over 15 years and has coordinated and participated in numerous service projects in Detroit and Lansing.
As the Community Investment Associate, LaToya works closely with the rest of the Community Investment team for grantmaking and serves as the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) advisor.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- President
- Community Foundation in 2015 As Executive Vice President
Laurie joined the Community Foundation in 2015 as Executive Vice President, taking over as President & CEO in 2022. Previously, she served 16 years as President and CEO of Ele's Place, a healing center for grieving children in Lansing. There she grew a fledgling nonprofit into a statewide organization with four branch locations in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Flint. With 30 years dedicated to improving communities through various nonprofit leadership roles, Laurie is proud to call Lansing her home.
As President & CEO, Laurie leads the Foundation's efforts to create a vibrant, thriving community with projects such as Rotary Park, a synthetic skating rink, and Play Michigan!. She works closely with the Board of Trustees and the leadership team.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Managing Director, External Affairs & Communications
- Managing Director, External Affairs & Communications / Emergent Holdings
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Vice President of Donor Services
Marcy served as the first Executive Director of the Playmakers Fitness Foundation for over ten years. Prior to that, she served as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Mason and East Lansing School Districts for sixteen years. Marcy earned her bachelor's degree in English Education and master's degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University.
As Vice President of Donor Services, Marcy assists charitable people with their philanthropic goals to support their communities. She also builds relationships with professional advisors and serves as a resource for them to learn about giving through the Capital Region Community Foundation. Marcy works closely with the president & CEO, along with the rest of the Community Foundation staff.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Attorney / Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris, PLC
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
- 2023 - 2024 Student Trustee
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- CEO / Eaton Rapids Medical Center
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Regional President, Mid Michigan Region
- Regional President, Mid Michigan Region / PNC Bank
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Retired
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Community Investment Administrator
Tracy has called the Lansing area home since early childhood. Her first real job was with Consumers Energy for 12 years in the Gas Services department, where the local United Way campaign sparked her interest in the nonprofit sector. She left Consumers to pursue a career in making the world a better place. Tracy completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Western Michigan University and for the past 29 years, has been a dedicated nonprofit professional, joining the Community Foundation's Community Investment team back in 2018.
As Community Investment Administrator, Tracy administers all scholarship funds, liaising with individual advisory committees, maintains the grant database, and assists with other grantmaking. She works closely with the rest of the Community Investment team and the rest of the staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Shareholder