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The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Announces Addition of Ray Telang and the Honorable Victoria Roberts (Ret.) to Board of Trustees
Detroit, MI / Buffalo, NY (April 4, 2025) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ramesh “Ray” Telang and the Honorable Victoria A. Roberts (Ret.) to its Board of Trustees. Telang, a seasoned financial expert, and Judge Roberts, a highly respected former federal judge, bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Foundation as it continues its mission to make a lasting impact in Southeast Michigan and Western New York.
Telang, a longtime leader in financial and business consulting, has served as a non-trustee member of the Foundation’s Finance Committee since 2020 He will assume the at-large board position previously held by Gerald “Jerry” Mazurkiewicz, who will transition to a non-trustee member role on the Finance Committee. Telang brings more than three decades of experience in auditing, business risk management, and internal control consulting. As Lead Client & Senior Relationship Partner at PwC, he has earned a reputation for his strategic approach to complex business issues, particularly within the transportation and consumer markets sectors.
Judge Roberts, a distinguished legal professional and Detroit native, joins the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, filling the at-large position previously held by Frank Fountain. She was commissioned as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1998 by President William J. Clinton and served with distinction for over two decades. She has been a trailblazer in the legal field, advocating for justice, inclusion, and community engagement. Prior to her federal appointment, she managed a prominent Detroit law firm, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and held leadership roles in numerous legal organizations. Judge Roberts has also been a dedicated educator, mentoring young lawyers and training legal professionals both domestically and internationally. She currently serves as a neutral mediator/arbitrator at JAMS.
“As we enter the second half of the Foundation’s limited lifespan, Ray’s financial expertise and Victoria’s legal acumen will be invaluable in guiding our strategic grantmaking and governance,” said Mary Wilson, Life Trustee and Board Chair of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Ray’s deep understanding of financial systems and business strategy will support our efforts to maximize impact, while Victoria’s commitment to justice and inclusion will ensure that our initiatives remain aligned with the communities we serve.”
A lifelong resident of the Detroit region, Telang has been actively involved in economic development and education initiatives. His leadership roles at the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Regional Partnership, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Economic Club, and Downtown Detroit Partnership reflect his commitment to strengthening local communities. With a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a CPA license in Michigan, he has held several key positions within PwC, including U.S. Automotive Leader and Detroit Office & Market Managing Partner.
Judge Roberts’ career has been defined by her dedication to public service and legal excellence. As the only Black female president of the State Bar of Michigan, she has paved the way for countless aspiring lawyers. Her work as a mediator in Detroit’s bankruptcy case, along with her extensive contributions to legal education and international training, underscores her ability to foster collaboration and drive meaningful change.
With their appointments, Telang and Judge Roberts join the Foundation’s three life trustees, Jeffrey C. Littmann, Mary Owen, and Mary Wilson, along with at-large trustees David Colligan, and Elizabeth Woike. Non-trustee committee members include Thomasina “Tina” Stenhouse, Monique Wells, Howard Morris, and Jerry Mazurkiewicz.
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Announces New Staff Hire & Promotions in 2025
Foundation adds Nicole de Beaufort to the staff; and promotes Sarah Truax, Marissa Rossman, Kate Partington, Kari Pardoe, and Eric Phamdo
Detroit, MI – (April 4, 2025) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is pleased to announce a series of staff promotions and a key new addition to its leadership team. Marissa Rossman and Kate Partington have been promoted to Program Officers, while Kari Pardoe and Eric Phamdo have advanced to Senior Program Officers. Sarah Truax has stepped into the role of Learning Manager. Additionally, the Foundation welcomes Nicole de Beaufort as Senior Director of Communications and Learning.
As the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation reaches the midpoint of its spend-down timeline, the need for enhanced communications and deeper learning has become increasingly important. In an exciting advancement in strategy, the communications and learning teams have joined forces into one unified department aimed at enhancing storytelling and providing crucial resources to grantee partners that will help advance and extend the work of the Foundation. Nicole de Beaufort, with her deep expertise in philanthropy, communications, and learning, is a uniquely skilled leader that will guide the bespoke department. Her background in consulting and strategic storytelling will be key in helping the Foundation share powerful stories of the communities they support and advance their mission in the most meaningful way.
“We recognized early on how important communications and learning would be to our work. Over the past 10 years, we’ve learned that they achieve their greatest impact when working together as one team,” said David Egner, President & CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. “Bringing on a Senior Director of Learning and Communications at this pivotal moment, approaching the halfway point of our foundation’s lifespan, is a strategic decision. Our staff faces the unique challenge of keeping our eventual exit in mind as we move forward. By merging these two departments, we’re excited about the opportunity to coordinate storytelling, enhance transparency, and streamline information sharing in a unified, cohesive way.”
Sarah Truax joined the Foundation in 2022 as a Council of Michigan Foundations fellow, later serving as a Learning Associate. She now takes on the role of Learning Manager. Kate Partington joined the Foundation in 2022 as a Program Associate and has been promoted to Program Officer. Marissa Rossman joined in 2021 and has been elevated to Program Officer. Kari Pardoe has also been with the Foundation since 2021 and has been promoted to Senior Program Officer. Eric Phamdo joined the Foundation in 2020 and now steps into the role of Senior Program Officer.
The Foundation congratulates all newly promoted staff members and welcomes Nicole de Beaufort to the team. These strategic shifts will further support the Foundation’s mission to make lasting and meaningful contributions to the communities it serves.