The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds Eight Staff Members to Team

Foundation is now fully staffed with 17 employees to carry out mission

Detroit, MI /Buffalo, NY (March 10, 2017) – Detroit, MI /Buffalo, NY (March 10, 2017) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced that with the addition of eight staff members, all 17 available positions have been filled. The new hires include three program officers: Kimberly Faison, Susan Dundon and Malia Xie; a communications officer: Carly Strachan; a research associate: Avery Eenigenburg; and three administrative assistants: Ebony Annette Jones, Amy Partridge and Donna Salive. (more…)

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds Senior Advisor to Staff

James Jacobs, Ph.D., brings more than 50 years of experience to the Foundation

Detroit, MI/Buffalo, NY (Feb. 24, 2017) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the addition of James Jacobs, Ph.D. as a senior advisor to the president & CEO. Jacobs comes to the Foundation from the nationally acclaimed Macomb Community College, where he has spent 50 years of his career, serving as president since 2008.

“Jim’s impressive experience and understanding of workforce development will serve as an excellent resource for our staff, and help to inform future investments the Foundation will make in that sector,” said David O. Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Additionally, Jim brings a strong connectivity to employers and organized labor throughout the region. He’s a recognized economist who understands the future of the workforce, and we’re fortunate to have him join the team as a senior advisor.”

In this new part-time role, Jacobs will advise on strategic decisions and investments the Foundation looks to make in its “Young Adults and Working Class Families” focus area. This includes finding opportunities and programs that provide skills training and education that can lead to pathways to good paying jobs and increased independence in both Southeast Michigan and Western New York.

“Jim’s passion for workforce development will be an asset to the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.”  said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel.  “A well trained and well educated workforce is critical to the economic future of our region and Jim’s unique expertise will be helpful in assuring that need is filled.” 

Prior to his appointment as president of Macomb Community College in Warren, MI, Jacobs served as director for the Center for Workforce Development and Policy and as associate director of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Jacobs also spent time serving as president of the National Council for Workforce Education. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and has since specialized in the areas of workforce skills and technology, economic development, worker retraining and community college workforce development.

“Jim’s career at Macomb Community College has been characterized by a dedication to accessible, relevant education and its connection to sustainable careers and economic vitality,” said Jennifer Haase, chair, Macomb Community College Board of Trustees. “We’re happy that Jim, even in retirement, will continue to lend his unparalleled expertise in growing our region’s workforce development capacity.”

Jacobs will formally join the team at the Foundation following his retirement from Macomb Community College this July.

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About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation:

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grant making organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his Buffalo Bills franchise. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation which bears his name. The Foundation has a grant making capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires December 31, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable and overseen by those who knew him best. 

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds Two Staff Members to Executive Team

Full executive team now in place to help carry out the vision of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.

Detroit, M.I./Buffalo, N.Y. (July 13, 2016) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced two additions to the organization’s executive management team. The new appointments include Buffalo resident Nicole Tzetzo to the role of Vice President, Finance and Administration and Lavea Brachman to the position of Vice President of Programs.

“Nicole and Lavea are excellent additions to our executive team of high-level, seasoned professionals,” said David O. Egner, President and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Each member of our executive team brings their own area of expertise which will elevate the organization to the next level as we ramp up operations and begin to carry out the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York.”

In her role as Vice President, Finance and Administration, Nicole Tzetzo will help oversee finance, operations, investment and compliance for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Tzetzo’s vast experience with non-profits in the Western New York market will serve as a valuable resource for the Foundation as the team works to identify projects within its core funding areas.

Most recently, Tzetzo served as a partner at Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC in Buffalo where she specialized in counseling clients in the non-for-profit sector. She currently serves on the board of trustees for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Tzetzo obtained her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America.

As Vice President of Programs, Lavea Brachman will be responsible for developing and implementing grantmaking strategies, collaborating with other funders, building and maintaining grantee relationships, as well as proposal analysis and evaluation. As a nationally recognized expert on urban policy and practice, with a focus on older

industrial cities, Brachman’s knowledge will help guide the Foundation’s efforts in a variety of focus areas including healthy community design and access, and working class families.

Brachman brings more than 20 years of experience in organizational development, management, policy reform and fundraising. In her most recent endeavor, Brachman co-founded the Greater Ohio Policy Center in Columbus, Ohio. The organization advocates for urban revitalization and sustainable growth strategies through research, policy development and community engagement. Brachman received her bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, master’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

With the hiring of Tzetzo and Brachman, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s executive team is now in place and strategically working to understand the complexity of the issues within its core funding areas and identify opportunities to affect meaningful change in the communities they serve.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds W. Frank Fountain, Jr. to Board of Trustees
Highly-regarded community leader from Detroit joins foundation as seventh board member

Detroit, M.I./Buffalo, N.Y. (June 15, 2016) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the appointment of W. Frank Fountain, Jr. to the organization’s board of trustees. Fountain, a former executive at Chrysler, is the latest addition to the Foundation’s board of trustees.

Fountain was selected for his dedication to the community and passion for helping others; qualities which seamlessly align with the mission of the Foundation. Through his work as president of the Chrysler Corporation Foundation, the automobile company’s philanthropic organization, and his personal philanthropic efforts serving on a number of boards, including the Hudson-Webber Foundation, Fountain has made it his personal mission to make an impact both locally in Southeastern Michigan and nationally.

“It’s truly an honor to join The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s board of trustees and carry out Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s vision to make an impact on the quality of life for the people of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan,” said Fountain. “I look forward to working with the Foundation on the core focus areas of children and youth, young adults and working class families, caregiving, and healthy communities.”

“The Foundation plans to operate much like Mr. Wilson himself by being creative and compassionate, focused and determined, thoughtful and innovative, and collaborative. As we build out our board of trustees and our staff, we look for individuals who also exemplify similar qualities,” said David O. Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Frank’s impressive resume, along with his civic and social contributions, make him a perfect fit for the board of trustees. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to benefitting from his experiences and knowledge.”

Other trustees of the Foundation include Mary Wilson, Eugene Driker, Jeffrey Littmann, Mary Owen, David Colligan and Jerry Mazurkiewicz.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is dedicated to sustained investment in the quality of life for the people of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan, two areas

Wilson was devoted to as the home of his Buffalo Bills franchise and his hometown. In 2015 to early 2016, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation committed $60 million in transitional legacy grants that reflected the personal passion of the late Wilson and provided grants to many organizations he had a connection with in the past. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation plans to share information and official guidelines for additional grant opportunities in the coming months.

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About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation:

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was established by founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Upon Wilson’s passing in 2014, he requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the foundation which bears his name. The Foundation has a grant making capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires December 31, 2035. This structure is consistent with Wilson’s wish for immediate impact and innovation, and his desire that the trustees see the impact of the investment in their lifetimes.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds Three Senior-Level Staff Members to Executive Team
Administrative and program management ranks expanding to support organization’s ongoing growth and development

Detroit, M.I./Buffalo, N.Y. (June 9, 2016) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced several additions to the organization’s growing executive management team. The new appointments include Amber Slichta to the role of Vice President of Programs, James Boyle as Vice President of Programs and Communications, and Maura Dewan to the position of Director of Programs and Strategy.

“We’re pleased to welcome Amber, Jim and Maura to the team during this exciting period of building the Foundation’s staff and board of trustees,” said David O. Egner, President and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “As the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation gets going, it is imperative that our team include individuals with strong ties to, and proven knowledge of, the needs and demographics of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan. Amber, Jim and Maura’s vast professional experience will be invaluable as we evaluate opportunities for giving, and determine where the Foundation’s investments can be the most impactful.”

In her role as Vice President of Programs, Amber Slichta will be mainly responsible for developing and implementing grantmaking strategies, collaborating with other funders, building and maintaining grantee relationships, as well as proposal analysis and evaluation. Most recently, Slichta served as Vice President and Interim President for the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, where she worked since 2004. She brings more than 20 years of experience in health and human services and leadership roles. Slichta’s expertise will greatly inform the Foundation’s work in areas such as caregiving, early childhood and healthy communities. Slichta also currently serves as the founding board president for the New York Funders Alliance, and is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.

As Vice President of Programs and Communications, James Boyle will utilize his expertise in culture change initiatives and economic development on behalf of the Foundation, while also calling on an extensive communications, marketing and organizational strategy background. Having previously served as Senior Program Officer for the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, Boyle brings a wealth of knowledge of the needs of the Southeastern Michigan community. In addition, Boyle has more than 20 years of experience in communications and marketing in the Detroit area. He is heavily involved in the community, having served on a number of area boards, including The Greening of Detroit and The Villages CDC, and is a co-founder of Public Pool art space in Hamtramck.

In her role as Director of Programs and Strategy, Maura Dewan will focus on the Foundation’s partnership development, strategic initiatives and process management needs. She joins the team after spending 13 years working as a Foundation Coordinator at the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison in Lansing, Michigan. Dewan has served on the St. Thomas Aquinas School Education Commission and the Great Lakes Feis Committee.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is primarily focused on sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting a variety of areas that align with Wilson’s historical giving priorities, including children and youth, young adults and working families, caregiving, and healthy communities.

The Foundation’s trustees began the process of assembling its staff in 2015. In October, the Foundation hired President and CEO David Egner, former longtime president of the Detroit-based Hudson Webber Foundation. The Foundation plans to continue adding staff from both the Western New York and Southeastern Michigan regions.

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About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation:

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was established by founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Upon Wilson’s passing in 2014, he requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the foundation which bears his name. The Foundation has a grant making capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires December 31, 2035. This structure is consistent with Wilson’s wish for immediate impact and innovation, and his desire that the trustees see the impact of the investment in their lifetimes.