The Chair Declares: Leadership and new beginnings
Published: September 18, 2023 by Steve Spencer, board chair
The year 2023 has been a time of leadership change for JCCF. We live in a world where change is inevitable. We do not need to fear loss in this transition but should look forward to a new beginning. To appreciate this transition in leadership, let’s review how we got here.
In 1989, the Pride and Progress Foundation of Greater Greenwood was founded and encouraged with grant funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. in 1990. In 1991 the name was changed to the Johnson County Community Foundation. The ones that came before laid the foundation for successful endowment building. Now Kim Kasting will lead JCCF into the future.
When Gail announced earlier this year that she would retire in March 2024, she gave JCCF the gift of time plus the continued access to her talented leadership. Having served admirably for 14 years as the leader of the organization, it was clear to everyone that Gail loved her work. She now transitions to a mentor/coach to ensure Kim’s success.
Gail’s legacy to me will be the way she inspired, empowered and guided the JCCF staff to become specialists in their jobs while also supporting each other collectively. She made important contributions to improving the financial management of the organization while recruiting new team members to support the mission of the organization. She did not flinch in times of adversity whether it was a national financial crisis or the COVID pandemic. Gail’s steady leadership maintained the ethics and integrity of the Foundation preparing it for more opportunity and growth in the future. We thank Gail for all she has done and for her commitment to JCCF. We wish Gail and her husband Mark the very best in the years ahead.
