Foundation hires new Associate Director, Ford Institute for Community Building
The Foundation is pleased to announce that Jacinda Sullivan will join the Foundation on December 5 as the new Associate Director, Ford Institute for Community Building. Jacinda will be responsible for overseeing the Ford Institute Leadership Program (FILP), strengthening relationships with key partners who deliver FILP trainings, and seeking continual improvements in both quality and efficiency of program delivery. Under Joyce's direction, Jacinda will engage extensively in program design and implementation consistent with the Institute business plan.
Jacinda is a Sutherlin native who has lived and worked in rural communities for much of her life. As a past participant in the Sutherlin Ford Institute Leadership Program, Jacinda has direct experience with the work she will soon begin to lead. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, OR and an MBA from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN.
Jacinda has been employed as the Director of Information Technology for Sutherlin School District since 1998. Due to Jacinda's considerable capacity and initiative, she has functioned proficiently as a section operations manager and teacher, while overseeing IT systems, software and hardware for the entire school district. She built the capacity of student teams to perform IT support function throughout the school district.
During her tenure, Jacinda became involved with the floundering Sutherlin chapter of "Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)". Through her leadership, student enrollment grew by leaps and bounds and Sutherlin students began to receive frequent awards in state level competitions. Jacinda assumed a role on the Oregon FBLA Board of Trustees where she currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer.
About the Ford Institute for Community Building
The Ford Family Foundation is transitioning the leadership roles in its Ford Institute for Community Building. Joyce Akse, formerly associate director of the Institute, will assume the role of Director on January 1, 2012. Dr. Tom Gallagher will retire on December 31, 2011. Tom has served as director since early 2003.
The Institute is implementing a Board-approved Business Plan for 2011-2013. A primary feature of the Plan is development of the framework for future investments in engaged communities. These communities will have completed the Institute's five-year, 5-class training series on Individual Leadership, Organizational Development, and Community Collaboration, and are interested in moving to action around community priorities. The framework will facilitate "customization of investments" based on specific opportunities in each rural community.
Our goal is an orderly and thoughtful transition of senior responsibilities at the Foundation to assure delivery of the Institute's high quality programs, which serve our Mission of "Successful Citizens and Vital Rural Communities."