WE RAISE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Development and Communications
Anne Schoenherr Turner joined the We Raise Foundation team in 2001 and serves as the Director of Development and Communications. In this role, she manages all aspects of the organization's fundraising activities and marketing and communications efforts through print and digital channels. She also oversees all special events planning and coordination of We Raise's annual Christmas Seals. Prior to We Raise, Anne served as Director of Media Relations and Sports Information for nine years at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill. She graduated from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., with a bachelor's of communications degree and as a student at MSU, Anne worked three seasons with the Spartan ice hockey program and enjoyed a trip to the NCAA Championships in 1989. An avid dog lover and fan of the TV show Friends, Anne enjoys playing golf, traveling to visit family or any beach destination with her husband, Erik, and watching Michigan football (Go Blue!). She is the proud stepmom of Alex and attends St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva, Ill. Anne loves any opportunity to visit with We Raise grantees and talk with the inspired, faith-filled leaders of the programs. Their passion and dedication for making their communities a healthier place and the creative ways they are doing this work is simply incredible.
Bill Kinley was a gentle giant with a very big heart. He gave 110 percent of his time and energy to any project he undertook. More importantly, he imparted his kindness, compassion, wisdom, and friendship to the many individuals and organizations he encountered throughout his lifetime.
That fondness carried over to his involvement with Wheat Ridge Ministries, where he served as a board member from 1976 to 1984. When Bill passed away in June 2016, he remembered Wheat Ridge in his estate, generously leaving a substantial stamp collection. The collection was auctioned off and the proceeds, which totaled over $500,000, benefitted the work of Wheat Ridge.
"He had a special place in his heart for Wheat Ridge," says a protégé and longtime friend, Shane. "He talked about how he would travel back and forth to the Wheat Ridge board meetings quite a bit. He was proud that a small town boy could achieve so much. Yet he was very humbled by the experience."
Of Bill's enormous stamp collection, Shane recalls with a chuckle, "It was a compilation of helping people. He was involved in a stamp club for many years. As older club members died, he would buy out their collections, mostly to help the families out. He ended up with a massive collection.
"Bill never did anything lightheartedly. He always immersed himself in it," Shane continues.
Shane met Bill while working at a restaurant in Olean, N.Y., where he was attending community college. Bill came in the restaurant every Friday and bought food to bring to an elderly woman he looked after.
"He took an interest in my future and what my plans were," Shane recalls. "We shared a lot of interest in investments and markets. He took me, a complete stranger, under his wing."
As time passed, they came to think of each other as family. After Shane married and had his own family, Bill became known to Shane's daughters as "Grandpa."
"Bill was such a loving person. No matter how busy he was, he always found time for the girls and me," says Shane's wife, Jacque.
Through Bill, the couple learned how he came to be involved in Wheat Ridge Ministries. Many years ago, Wheat Ridge convened a group of relatively young people in their 30s for a project known as the Ebenezer Thankoffering, which groomed them for future leadership positions in the church.
"Faith was a very important part of Bill's life," says Shane. "We had many lengthy conversations about life, religion, how to conduct yourself and be a moral person, a standard for other people. One of the key tenets he passed on to me was that it's not about what you say; it's about quiet things you do that matter."
Wheat Ridge Ministries is deeply grateful for the generous support of people like Bill Kinley and donors like you who make our work possible.
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive Director, Gateway Foundation
As a youth work major at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, Gail continued to learn about We Raise programs and ministries. After she was married and had moved to Colorado, she studied human services at Metro State College in Denver. As a part of those studies, Gail interned at a residential center for people with developmental disabilities in Wheat Ridge, Colorado-the location where Wheat Ridge Ministries (We Raise) was founded.
Gail's professional career in social services sometimes came with financial struggles, but she always tried to include We Raise in her giving. "Not always as much as I would like to do, but always what I could do," she notes.
Her marriage to the Rev. Dr. Karl Lutze in 1996 expanded her connection to We Raise beyond financial support. "Karl was very actively involved with the organization for many years," she says. "We attended some of the special programs, such as the President's Circle gathering, and with each one of them I became more impressed with the work that We Raise does and the organizations it supports."
Gail was thrilled to attend the March 2018 We Raise Foundation launch celebration. There she met more representatives from programs and ministries and heard more about the new name and the new focus. She liked what she heard, especially the new focus on capacity-building. "I know what it's like to work for a non-profit-I know how tough it is-and for We Raise staff to share their expertise with developing programs is very valuable," she says.
Gail also brought some friends to the event. "Afterward, they told me they thought they had known about We Raise, but the presentations and the people they talked to impressed them even more," she says. For Gail, getting information out about the programs and attending events are the keys to bringing on additional We Raise supporters.
"I think we all want to know that in some way we're connected with the Lord's work, and if there's some way that we can encourage someone to participate, I think that's really important," she says. "To know that whatever amount you give helps a program to move a little farther down the line-that's exciting!"
Gail is grateful for her lifelong connection to We Raise, which she describes to friends as an organization that uses funds well and supports exciting, impactful programs that are necessary in communities across the country.
"I really feel that I have gotten so much more out of my connection with We Raise than I have been able to give," she says.
Join Gail and other We Raise supporters in lifting up communities impacted by poverty, violence, and inequality. Your future gifts will greatly impact your life and the lives of those in need.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Development Services
Jennifer Sievers serves as Manager of Development Services at We Raise Foundation and in this role handles database management, oversees gift entry and acknowledgement, and provides data and reports for many departments and vendor partners. Jenn joined the staff in 2006 as a seasonal member of the advancement department and joined the team permanently in fall 2007. Prior to that, she worked as a researcher for an IT recruiting firm, as the membership coordinator/database manager at a large church, and as the newsletter editor and database manager for an award-winning men's a cappella choir. Jenn graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., with a degree in environmental studies. She and her husband, Steve, have two daughters and in her spare time, Jenn enjoys reading, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. She has been a volunteer and board member with Stepping Stones for Women of Domestic Violence for over a decade. Jenn loves to talk with We Raise donors who call the office and share their excitement of supporting our grantees and the people their gifts impact. Visits to grant recipients always inspire her and provide her with more to share with donors.
Matt Croll shares Director of Finance duties at We Raise Foundation and oversees the accounting and finance functions. He has served in various accounting roles across multiple industries throughout his career, including more than eight years in nonprofit financial management. Matt graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., with a bachelor's degree in accountancy and Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., with a master's degree in business administration. He is registered Certified Public Accountant. When Matt is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sandi, and two daughters, and competing in Masters Track and Field events. Matt derives inspiration from the positive impact that the We Raise Grantees have on individuals in their communities every day.
Meredith Capocci serves as Senior Accountant and has been at We Raise Foundation since 2016. In this role, she maintains the financial side of the database, coordinates projects under supervision of the Directors of Finance, and assists with the audit and budget processes. Prior to We Raise, Meredith worked in the healthcare industry, and in public accounting. She graduated from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill., with a degree in accounting and is registered in the State of Illinois as a Certified Public Accountant. In her spare time, Meredith enjoys traveling, spending time with her three grandchildren, gardening, antique shopping, and reading. She attends Bloomingdale Church. Meredith is inspired by the visits to the grantees where one sees firsthand the We Raise support as being the hands and feet of Jesus to a weary world.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- Vice President for Development at Make - a - Wish America
After a 25-year career serving nonprofit organizations around the world, Mr. Paul C. Miles was named President and CEO of We Raise Foundation by its Board of Directors in August 2015.
Paul joined We Raise after serving as vice president for development at Make-A-Wish America in Phoenix, Ariz. In this position, Paul was responsible for all individual and foundation giving, direct mail, digital, annual giving and grants, and planned giving. In addition, he served as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Grants Committee.
Prior to his tenure with Make-A-Wish America, Paul spent 22 years with a leading international consulting firm that works with nonprofit organizations on a wide-range of development needs. As campaign director, he helped his clients raise over $1 billion, culminating in a $593 million campaign for Habitat for Humanity International, where he also served as interim senior vice president of development. After serving as a campaign director, Paul joined the management team and eventually became a limited partner with the firm.
Paul graduated from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., where he later served on the Foundation Board of Directors and the President's Advisory Council. He currently serves on the DuPage Foundation Board of Trustees, Downers Grove, Ill., and past board service has included Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, Md.; Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs of Sumter County, and various congregational boards. He has been a frequent speaker and trainer in the field of resource development.
Paul and his wife, Sonja, have three children and live in Naperville, Ill. They are active members of their vibrant community and Paul has served as a coach on many local sports teams. He continues to believe one day he will break par but recognizes the important roles dreams play in his life. Paul is inspired by two things at We Raise: the generosity of its donors and the dedication of its grantees. The chance to bring these two communities together through We Raise is one of the great opportunities of his career.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Thrivent Financial
Sandi Croll shares the Director of Finance duties at We Raise Foundation and oversees the accounting and finance functions. She has served in various accounting roles throughout her career and has had the opportunity to work with companies of various sizes within a variety of industries, including nonprofit organizations. Sandi graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., with a bachelor's degree in accountancy. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, outside of work Sandi enjoys spending time with her family, working out, and traveling. She is inspired by the work of the We Raise grantees and the hope that they put out into the world.