News & Events

At the end of September, our President and CEO Carla Roberts will retire after 10 years leading Fremont Area Community Foundation. Recently, we sat down with Carla as she reflected on her decade with the Community Foundation, what she is most proud of, what she will miss, and more.

As you think back to when you started, what has surprised you about the Community Foundation or Newaygo County?

 Carla: Newaygo County has changed a lot in the last 10 years and one of the most salient examples is if you look at the Newaygo County Tourism Council. Everything about how they present the county on the web and in the publications, the things you can go do, the summer top 10 list—it is amazing to me how far that has come in the period of time I’ve been here.

We know anecdotally that now parents are much more engaged with wanting to see their students go on to post-secondary training. That starts with kindergarten through Kickstart to Career and, of course, all the work with WE CAN! Newaygo County and the Promise Zone. All of that has been put into place in the last 10 years. There’s a different climate than there was and a different kind of talk on the street than there used to be.

What are your proudest accomplishments over the last 10 years?

I would say our staff team is one of the things I’m most proud of. We have a good group of people who work well together and who are smart. I’m very, very proud of the team that we have created and know that this team will continue to do good work in the future.

What will you miss about this work?

I’m going to miss all the people I work with every day. I’m going to miss sitting here watching the prairie go from season to season. It’s a very peaceful place to work.

I’m going to miss the sense of achievement, of doing big things. The work here is very much oriented to building the best community that can exist. The levers of education, economic development, and reducing poverty I know in my heart are the right levers for achieving the best possible economy, and that’s what improves the quality of life. That’s what makes it a good place to live—when everyone is doing well.

We’re not there yet because these are long-term things. Then, when you’ve got big waves of activity like we had with the multi-pronged crisis last year, it feels like it washes away everything you’ve done. I know it hasn’t, but it feels like that at first. You just keep going. It’s like the stock market: it goes up and down but over time it should have an upward trajectory. When you do social change work, it’s the same thing. There are going to be setbacks, but you’re looking for a long-term trajectory toward betterment. If you’re achieving that, then that’s what you want to do and that’s the most you can do.

What are some of the biggest things you’ve learned along the way?

I have learned so much in the last 10 years! My biggest personal growth and professional development has come from the staff. Everybody here has taught me something. Every single person has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing something about life. I appreciate all of them so much.

I also learned how to put together a theory of change. I can’t say I had deep experience with that before. It certainly took us a long time to shuffle the pieces and figure out how it would fit together in a way that would make sense, not only to us but to our grantees and to other people in the community. And I think we landed on it.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to removing the clutter from my house. That’s what I want to do first. I actually want to simplify my life a bit.

I’ve been to every continent except Antarctica, and I would like to get the seventh continent in. That’s going to be hard, but can you imagine going down there and seeing penguins? Then I could say I’ve been to all seven continents in the world.

 What are some favorite memories of your time here?

There’s a rhythm and a cycle to life and to the activities that happen in the communities, and it makes me smile just talking about it. And the parades! The parades in small towns are just so wonderful. I get the biggest kick out of those big pieces of farm equipment they bring out for parades. I’m going to look back and smile about that.

I always enjoyed trustee meetings because our trustees are so involved with the Community Foundation. They’re so engaged. They give a lot, especially this last year when they’ve been doing the [president and CEO] search.

[This job] has been the capstone of my career. That’s what I said I wanted it to be in my first interview with the board. It has been an opportunity to bring what I gained through a career in nonprofit work and in philanthropy into this place and try different things to see what might create real change for people and make improvements in the community. I’m really happy about that. I feel like my career is complete.

Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees has selected Shelly Kasprzycki as the organization’s new president and CEO, effective September 27, 2021. Kasprzycki will succeed Carla Roberts, who will retire at the end of September after 10 years with the Community Foundation.

Kasprzycki, a lifelong Michigan resident, comes to the Community Foundation after most recently serving as president and CEO of Michigan Humanities. Prior to this position, she was executive director of Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity and president and CEO of Jackson Community Foundation. Her career in nonprofit executive leadership and philanthropy has spanned the last 20 years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shelly to the Community Foundation,” said Joe Roberson, FACF board chair and chair of the search committee. “She brings extensive experience in collaborative leadership, community outreach and engagement, and nonprofit best practices. We look forward to the ways she will utilize her expertise and strategic leadership to guide the vision and goals of the Community Foundation forward.”

Kasprzycki was selected via an extensive nationwide search conducted by executive search firm Kittleman & Associates and coordinated by a local search committee made up of Community Foundation trustees and a cross section of community members.

“We built a candidate profile for this position with input from donors, grantees, staff, trustees, and the local community,” said Lori Tubbergen Clark, FACF trustee and search committee vice chair. “Shelly checks all the boxes and brings deep experience in nonprofit development and philanthropy in rural communities. The search committee is thrilled to welcome her to Newaygo County, and we know she will be an invaluable asset to our community.”

Kasprzycki began her career in public health at the Michigan Department of Community Health in Jackson County and later led the Nonprofit Network, a regional chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Jackson Community Foundation. In her position at Michigan Humanities, she worked with a 25-member board as well as many statewide and national partners, including those in the service area of Fremont Area Community Foundation and its affiliates. Under Kasprzycki’s leadership, Michigan Humanities doubled its assets and grantmaking.

“Working for an organization with a statewide reach has given Shelly a unique ability to connect the priorities of all kinds of communities and organizations,” said Roberson. “She’s a master of collaboration and relationship-building. We can’t wait to see the ways she will build on the great work of those that came before her and make our organization even more effective.”

As a nonprofit and community leader, Kasprzycki has been honored as Jackson College’s Martin Luther King Jr Medal of Honor recipient, Rotarian of the Year, and as the Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. She has volunteered for many organizations, including the Jackson Women’s History Council and the Jackson County Michigan Historical Society.

Born in a rural community herself, Kasprzycki grew up enjoying nature, riding horses, and participating in 4-H. She looks forward to her new position and relocation to Newaygo County.

“I’m delighted to be selected to serve as the next president of Fremont Area Community Foundation,” said Kasprzycki. “I’ve followed the work of the Community Foundation and its affiliates and am deeply impressed by the community commitment and strategic initiatives. I hope to continue the wonderful work and effective strategies already in place to improve the quality of life for all in our region.”

Fremont Area Community Foundation has announced the launch of a nationwide search for its next president and CEO. As announced in March, the Community Foundation has retained Kittleman & Associates, a national executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of CEOs for nonprofit organizations, to lead the search.

Kittleman & Associates will partner with the Community Foundation’s search committee—a group comprised of representatives from across the Community Foundation’s four-county service area—to conduct a comprehensive search to identify a successor to Carla Roberts, who plans to retire by the end of 2021.

“Kittleman has a long and successful history of recruiting leaders for nonprofits across the country, including other community foundations in Michigan,” said Cory King, Kittleman president and CEO. “We feel confident we understand the complexities of the Community Foundation’s rural community and the specific needs of Newaygo County.”

Joe Roberson, Community Foundation board chair and chair of the search committee, echoed King’s thoughts. “This is a strong partnership and we look forward to identifying strong candidates,” he said. “After months of careful research and preparation, we are eager to finally launch the search for our organization’s next leader.”

Applications for the president and CEO position are now being received by Kittleman & Associates. The job specifications related to the position were developed with input from Community Foundation trustees, staff, grantees, community partners, and donors.

To view a position guide with detailed information about the opportunity or to apply for the position, visit https://bit.ly/320D8a5.

Fremont Area Community Foundation announced it has retained Kittleman and Associates, a national executive recruiting firm, to lead the search for the Community Foundation’s next president and CEO.

Kittleman, a firm focused exclusively on senior executive searches in the nonprofit sector, will work with the existing local search committee to identify the successor to Carla Roberts, who announced last year her plans to retire by the end of 2021.

“Our goal is to find a dynamic candidate to lead the Community Foundation into the future while building on the legacy begun by Carla Roberts,” said Joe Roberson, Community Foundation board chair and chair of the search committee. “Kittleman has a long and successful history of recruiting leaders for nonprofit organizations across the country, including for many community foundations right here in Michigan.”

In late 2020, the Community Foundation board created a search committee comprised of representatives from across the organization’s four-county service area. This committee evaluated search firms using interview questions in categories such as understanding of the Community Foundation, diversity and culture, personality assessment, and the technical aspects of the nationwide search process.

“Kittleman’s scores were significantly higher than the other firms we evaluated,” said Lori Tubbergen Clark, search committee vice chair. “They understand the complexities of our rural community—particularly in relation to our infrastructure and vital nonprofit work—and will build a search process tailored specifically to the needs of Newaygo County. We’re excited to begin our work together.”

Cory King, Kittleman president and CEO, also looks forward to the partnership. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Community Foundation at this important moment of leadership transition,” said King. “Through our work with foundations in Michigan over the years, we have followed the work of Fremont Area Community Foundation and know the impressive scope of their impact. Given the challenges in all communities right now, we know the need for exceptional foundation leadership has never been greater and we look forward to engaging a thoughtful and creative leader to chart the next era at the Community Foundation.”

Kittleman will work in collaboration with the search committee to conduct a comprehensive search for candidates to apply for the position of president and CEO. A small pool will be provided to the Community Foundation Board of Trustees in mid-summer and a finalist is expected to be announced in August 2021. Once a formal position guide and profile have been approved by the board, it will be posted on Kittleman’s website at kittlemansearch.com.

The search has begun to replace Carla Roberts, Fremont Area Community Foundation president and CEO. Roberts has led the organization since 2011 and plans to retire from her position by the end of 2021.

Joe Roberson, Community Foundation board chair, announced this week that he, along with fellow trustee Lori Tubbergen Clark, has assembled a search committee comprised of representatives from all sectors and geographic regions served by the Community Foundation. The preliminary work to create a committee and identify a national search firm was also guided by former trustee, Bill Johnson.

“The 11 individuals on the search committee bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to this important task,” said Roberson, who will serve as chair of the committee. “We have representatives from education, banking and finance, law, government, and the nonprofit sectors as well as community leaders from our four-county service area.”

The search committee includes:

• Joe Roberson, search committee chair, FACF board chair, and head of accounting operations at Nestle Business Services North America
• Lori Tubbergen Clark, search committee vice chair, superintendent of Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NC RESA), and vice chair of FACF board of trustees
• Dick Dunning, retired president and CEO of Fremont Insurance and former FACF trustee
• Lola Harmon-Ramsey, owner of Cart-Right Recycling, LLC and FACF trustee
• Bob Jordan, retired FACF vice president of philanthropic services and former trustee
• Renee Kent, trustee of Mecosta County Community Foundation (FACF affiliate), principal of Riverview Elementary, Big Rapids Public Schools
• Dani Merrill, president of Bellwether Harbor and former FACF board chair
• Holly Moon, retired Newaygo County treasurer and former FACF trustee
• Mikhail Salacina, attorney and partner at Schuiteman & Salacina and FACF trustee
• Judge Bob Springstead, circuit court judge
• Donna Trice, insurance agent at State Farm and FACF trustee

Lori Tubbergen Clark, search committee vice chair, emphasized that the committee will undertake a nationwide search to find the right person to succeed Roberts.

“We are committed to identifying worthy applicants and conducting a thoughtful and transparent search process,” said Tubbergen Clark. “Each member of the search committee has a shared commitment to find another exceptional leader to guide the Community Foundation into the future.”

To assist in their efforts, the search committee will also retain a search firm with proven experience in conducting a CEO-level search in the community foundation field. Both groups will work to find and evaluate possible applicants and the search committee will provide a short list of candidates to the Community Foundation Board of Trustees by July 2021. The board will conduct interviews and make a final selection by August.

“We are grateful to the community members who have agreed to share their time and talents to help us find the best possible president and CEO,” said Roberson. “Fremont Area Community Foundation has been a trusted force for good in our community for nearly 70 years, and our board and search committee are dedicated to finding an exemplary candidate with passion and experience to build on this legacy of impact for years to come.”

After nearly a decade of service to Newaygo County, Carla Roberts, president and CEO of Fremont Area Community Foundation, has announced her intention to retire from her position by the end of 2021. Roberts will continue in her leadership role at the Community Foundation until a successor is announced and brought on staff.

Roberts provided notice to the trustees in 2019 of her plans for retirement and a small planning committee was formed to consider the necessary steps to move forward. Following the public announcement, a search committee to find Roberts’ successor will be led by board chair Joe Roberson and vice-chair Lori Tubbergen Clark. “The search committee will be representative of the entire region served by the Community Foundation,” said Roberson. “In the interest of transparency and public engagement, we determined it was best to make an announcement sooner rather than later.”

According to Tubbergen Clark, “A process for filling a position of this nature is expected to take 12-16 months. We are pleased that Carla is willing to continue in her role as president and CEO until we have completed the search.”

Next March, Roberts will celebrate 10 years as president and CEO. During her tenure, the Community Foundation moved to a more strategic form of grantmaking in order to fulfill the organization’s mission—to improve the quality of life in Newaygo County—in deep and lasting ways. An inclusive process that involved trustees, staff, and community residents further defined “quality of life” as a vibrant economy, an effective public sector, and well-being across socioeconomic levels. Roberts was instrumental in the organizational process to identify the Community Foundation’s three decade goals: community and economic development, education, and moving residents from poverty to prosperity.

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of this community,” said Roberts. In reflecting on the upcoming transition period, she expressed confidence in the staff and board to continue as good stewards of the Community Foundation resources. “The team that is in place is a group of solid professionals who know how to deliver on our mission in partnership with donors and the local nonprofit sector.”

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Carla for her years of service and significant impact on Newaygo County,” said Roberson. “We are exceedingly grateful for her leadership and look forward to finding another exceptional individual to guide our Community Foundation into the future.”

Lindsay Hager of Fremont will be the new director of community investment at Fremont Area Community Foundation. He joined the staff on June 17.

Hager brings many years of experience with the Community Foundation to his new role overseeing the community investment team and strategic initiative work. He has been on the Board of Trustees for eight years and has served as both board chair and chair of the Distribution Committee, which provides grantmaking oversight. Previously, Hager served for nine years on the Elderly Needs Fund board.

“I am excited for this opportunity to serve Newaygo County and work with an exceptional team of donors, trustees, staff, and grantees,” said Hager.

In addition to his experience with the Community Foundation, Hager is president of Hager Consulting and has worked for 30 years in the affordable housing and community development field. He has worked with a wide variety of municipal and nonprofit clients on strategic plans, feasibility studies, project management, and grant administration.

“We are fortunate to have attracted this talent to our team,” said Carla Roberts, Community Foundation president and CEO. “Lindsay is well-versed in all aspects of our organization, including our strategic plan and initiative work. We are excited to welcome him to the staff.”

In addition to Hager’s hiring, Mark Petz has been promoted to senior community investment officer and will provide leadership to grantmaking staff. Jenna Smalligan was also promoted to community investment officer and will serve as lead staff in the Community Foundation’s poverty to prosperity focus area.

The Community Foundation recently welcomed two new staff members.

Casey Houston joins us as an administrative assistant. She will work with Foundation Manager Maria Gonzalez to serve our three geographic affiliates—Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola county community foundations—as well as the Elderly Needs Fund and Amazing X Charitable Trust supporting organizations. Casey grew up in the area, attended Central Michigan University, and has a background in event planning and hospitality. She looks forward to giving back to the community through her work, and we’re happy to have her join our team!

Dan Wheat joins our grantmaking team as a community investment officer. In this role, he will be responsible for the review, analysis, presentation, and monitoring of grant proposals and projects, particularly in the area of community and economic development. Dan is from Grant and is a fourth-generation Newaygo County resident with a deep knowledge of our area. He brings many years of experience in the banking industry and has also served on our Amazing X and Professional Advisory boards. We’re excited to have him join us!

After 20 years with the Community Foundation, Mary Huisjen will retire at the end of January.

Callers and visitors to the Community Foundation are often first greeted by Mary, who has served as our receptionist and special projects associate. Mary started at the Community Foundation in November 1998 after working for Gerber Products for 19 years in order invoicing and baby care marketing.

One of Mary’s favorite parts of her job at the Community Foundation has been the wide range of projects she has worked on.

“I enjoyed the variety in responsibilities over my 20 years here,” said Mary. “I knew that no day would be like any other.”

In addition to her role in administrative services, Mary has worked with scholarship recipients and donors, served as an advisor and mentor to the Youth Advisory Committee, and provided key leadership on the Community Foundation’s prairie restoration project. These efforts were recognized on a state level in October when the prairie received the President’s Award from Keep Michigan Beautiful.

“I’ve really enjoyed that here at the Community Foundation we are focused on the community,” said Mary. “That makes you feel good about your work at the end of the day.”

In retirement, Mary is looking forward to traveling, gardening, volunteering, and exploring new hobbies and opportunities. She is also excited to spend more time with her husband Carl and their children and grandchildren.

It was recently announced that Todd Jacobs, our vice president and chief philanthropy officer, has been named the new president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. We are very sad to see Todd go, but we are happy for him and for this career achievement! Todd is originally from the Muskegon area, and it is always exciting to see a native son bring the skills and talents he has developed in his career back to his hometown.

Since rejoining the Fremont Area Community Foundation staff in 2013, Todd has expanded outreach, developed new giving opportunities, and launched key initiatives, like Kickstart to Career Newaygo County. We know that he is going to accomplish even more great things with our friends in Muskegon County. We enjoy a close relationship with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, meeting regularly and collaborating on a number of projects. We are glad to know we will be able to continue working with Todd in the future as he serves in this new position.

Todd will remain with us through mid-December. Transition plans include the promotion of Wes Miller to director of philanthropic services in January and other internal changes over the coming weeks as more staff members take on additional responsibilities.

Please join us in thanking Todd for his years of faithful service to Fremont Area Community Foundation and in wishing him well in his new role in Muskegon County!