People in Philanthropy 7/23

You know what’s not great, though? Losing FIVE great philanthropy/community leaders due to retirement, re-framing, or new jobs. The great Kate Barr, a former fellow faculty member, who, through her work at Propel for Nonprofits, re-created the way we provide technical support to Minnesota nonprofits Kara Inae Carlisle who, in a few short years at the McKnight Foundation, transformed the Foundation’s giving programs, learning models, and the way it responds to evolving social conditions Randi Roth, an old acquaintance from years ago, who did a GREAT job as CEO of  Otto Bremer Trust, and has moved over to  Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul Denise Mayotte is moving on from her position as Executive Director of the great Sheltering Arms Foundation, perhaps the best faith-based funding organization in Minnesota  Chanda Smith Baker has left her position as Chief Impact Officer and SVP of Community Impact of the Minneapolis Foundation to start a new chapter. Besides her work at that foundation, Chanda also was a co-founder of the Black Collective Foundation of MN, which recently (see below) released the most important BIPOC-related philanthropy research in Minnesota for decades. The happy part of this story is that we have an opportunity to welcome and learn from five new philanthropists. I can’t wait to see what pans out, and what we learn from new leaders.

New Access Philanthropy Crew Members: Learn more about our great staff on the  Access Philanthropy Team Page, including our newest folks: Senior Advisor Janette Davis, and Senior Grant Writers Kirsten Gulbro, Ann Madsen, Anne Gage, and Patricia O’Brien.Women's Foundation of Minnesota hires new Advancement Manager, Arshia Hussain. Ms Hussain just graduated with a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She says she's "looking forward to contributing to ending gender-based inequality, redistributing wealth, and making a difference in the lives of women and girls."Diane Grossman was named as new Executive Director of the Sheltering Arms Foundation, succeeding Denise Mayotte (see above). Diane joined Sheltering Arms in March 2001 and has been Associate Director for a few years.Margaret Cargill Philanthropies’ new CEO, Heather Kukla, wants the enterprise to be more transparent while maintaining its under-the-radar profile.Also changes at these Foundations/Corporate Giving Programs: Ms. Foundation C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. Grantmakers for Education aka Edfunders Open Society Foundations Read more about them on our People in Philanthropy webpage