Erb Family Foundation Announces Incoming Foundation President and Vice Presidents
Erb Family Foundation Announces Incoming Foundation President and Vice Presidents
Erb Family Foundation is excited to announce several changes to our leadership team, including the appointment of Melissa Damaschke as president. Melissa joined the Foundation in 2015 as Great Lakes program officer and currently serves as vice president of programs – a position she has held since February 2021.
“On behalf of the entire Board, we are thrilled to welcome Melissa as incoming president,” said current president and chair of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, John Erb. “She is a passionate and experienced advocate for all of the work we do. The Foundation and its grant partners will benefit tremendously from her guidance and leadership as we prepare to enter our final decade of grantmaking.”
The Board appointed Melissa as incoming president at its September 2023 meeting. She will assume the role on January 1, 2024. John Erb will continue as chair of the Board of Directors. Melissa voiced her commitment to the Foundation’s continuing impact by saying, “The thoughtfulness and dedication of this foundation is what drew me to join the team more than eight years ago. And it’s now an incredible honor to be selected by the Board to lead the Foundation into its next and final phase of impact.”
The Board appointed Melissa as incoming president at its September 2023 meeting. She will assume the role on January 1, 2024. John Erb will continue as chair of the Board of Directors. Melissa voiced her commitment to the Foundation’s continuing impact by saying, “The thoughtfulness and dedication of this foundation is what drew me to join the team more than eight years ago. And it’s now an incredible honor to be selected by the Board to lead the Foundation into its next and final phase of impact.”
Filling Melissa Damaschke’s position of vice president of programs will be Tara Tuomaala, the Foundation’s current Arts program officer. Additionally, Mary Lyons-Richards, currently the director of foundation administration, will transition to the newly created role of vice president of administration.
Tara started at the Foundation in January 2021, overseeing its Anchor Arts and Jazz Education programs. In her new role, she will lead grantmaking efforts across all of the Foundation’s program areas.
Mary has served the Foundation in several capacities since she joined in 2016. Her positions have included program officer for the Sustainable Business program, grants and office manager, and her current role of director of foundation administration. As vice president of administration, Mary will oversee the Foundation’s grantmaking and financial processes and operations.
The new leadership team holds expansive knowledge of the Foundation’s current areas of focus and will provide internal continuity to ensure grant partners experience stability and consistency as the Foundation enters its spend-down. All changes will be effective January 1, 2024, providing Melissa, Tara, and Mary time to acclimate to their new roles and ensuring a smooth transition for the Foundation’s stakeholders.