News and Events
Nokomis Foundation Appoints New Leader
Grand Rapids, MI--Nokomis Foundation, a private foundation founded by local philanthropist Mary Caroline �Twink� Frey in 1989 to create a stronger voice for women and girls, has appointed DeDe Esque president and CEO.
�During her six years with Nokomis, DeDe has provided outstanding leadership in grantmaking, program management, collaboration with the community, and more recently, administration and communications,� said Frey, Nokomis founder and chairwoman of the board. �We are thrilled that she has accepted the challenge to guide Nokomis into its next chapter.�
Nokomis Foundation recently completed a comprehensive strategic planning process of introspection, research and critical study.
�As a result of our renewal process we believe Nokomis will become an even stronger advocate for women and girls,� said Frey. �Nokomis will focus its efforts on building the self-sufficiency and increasing the civic participation of women and girls. We are also embracing a new willingness to step from behind the scenes, and use the power of strategic communications to advance our important mission.�
Under the leadership of Esque, Nokomis Foundation will embrace an expanded mission:
Creating a stronger voice for women and girls
by being a stronger voice for women and girls.
Kym Mulhern, who joined Nokomis as its first staff person and whose most recent role was president of the organization, announced her resignation as the renewal process concluded.
�Together, Kym and I created what Nokomis Foundation is today,� said Frey. �We learned, we explored, we experimented, and we took the road less traveled as Nokomis grew during its first 17 years. Our staff, board and partners wish her well as she pursues new opportunities.�
Esque joined Nokomis as program officer in 2001. She previously served as a human resources manager with Fifth Third Bank and is actively engaged with women�s and community issues nationally and in West Michigan. She serves on the international board of the Women�s Funding Network and received the Women�s Resource Center�s Woman of E-Quality Award last year.
Serving on the Nokomis board with Frey are Jim McKay, Patricia Oldt, Faye Richardson, and Mary Alice Williams.
Nokomis Foundation, a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, creates a stronger voice for women and girls by being a stronger voice for women and girls. Learn more at NokomisFoundation.org.
Posted July 23, 2007