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The Foundation welcomes
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and recommendations for new Trustees at any time.

General Info

The Southfield Community Foundation is governed by a board of trustees representing corporate, community and civic leaders from Southfield and Lathrup Village. Trustees are elected for three year staggered terms. There are six ex officio trustees including:

Southfield City Manager

Southfield Public Schools Superintendent

Representative of the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Chair of the SPS Education Committee

Two representatives from the Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee.


Questions?

Call: 248-796-4190
Email: scf.scfmi.org


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Board of Trustees - 2008

Grenae Dudley
Chair

President
Mayor's Time
A professional advocate of children’s welfare for more than 20 years, Grenaé is President and CEO of Mayor’s Time (formerly The Youth Connection), Detroit’s after-school effort funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Skillman Foundation. Dr. Dudley served as Deputy Director of Children’s Center of Wayne County. A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Dudley also serves on many boards and task forces, including the Oakland County FIA Board and the Michigan After-School Partnership.
Michael Balloch
Vice Chair

CEO
Oxford Management Strategies
Michael Balloch is a former corporate executive with leadership experience at General Dynamics, Xerox, and Lotus Development Corporation, and is the owner and founder of several successful businesses. Michael has been coaching leaders since 1993 as CEO of Oxford Management Strategies, Inc. Michael is Chairman of three "two tanks" for Presidents and CEO's with TEC, an International Organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of CEO's.
William Steffan
Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer
DENSO International America
Bill is an expert in acquiring and integrating new business while improving efficiency, maintaining quality and increasing profitability. He brings zest, energy and a steady hand to the often stormy waters of business development. He is responsible for all financial activities and the development of DENSO's North American business plan to support growth initiatives. Bill serves on the Foundation's Executive Committee, Golf Committee and Finance Committee.
Marina Williams
Secretary

Vice President and
Chief Diversity Officer
Lear Corporation
Marina is responsible for supporting the growth and development of Lear's minority joint ventures and supplier diversity activities. In addition to the Foundation, Marina is a board member of the Mercy Education Project and the Facilitation Partnership Board for the Detroit Executive Services Corps.



Mark Adams
Trustee

Sr. Business Dev. Rep.
Oakland County
Mark assists firms with site location and financing and is responsible for Oakland County's North American Business Attraction Program. He currently chairs the Michigan Global Partnership North America Committee and is a former board member of the Michigan Economic Development Association. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and of Leadership Oakland 10 and has served as the president of the Villas of PebbleCreek homeowners association.
Tonya Allen
Trustee

Senior Program Officer
Skillman Foundation
Tonya is a specialist in community development who is directing the Skillman Foundation's Good Neighborhood Initiative to transform Detroit's neighborhoods into healthy, safe and supportive environments for children, youth, and their families. She sits on the Foundation's Development Committee.
Michael D. Benghiat
Trustee

Associate Director Community Campaign
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Prior to joining the Jewish Federation, MIchael specialized in strategic marketing programs representing Madison Square Garden, the Wachovia Center and Spectrum, Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, Fox Theatre, and the Parade Company. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from MSU in 1986, completing his degree in London studying the British mass media. He serves on the Foundation's Executive Committee and chairs the Public Relations Committee.

Nadine Cook
Trustee

Director of Community Relations
St. John Health System
For more than 20 years, Nadine Cook has served in various aspects of health and human services within the public and private sector. As Director of Public/Community Relations for St. John Health, she has responsibility for development and implementation of community relation activities that will further the organization's strategic goals and promote mutually beneficial relationships between SJH and the community. Nadine serves on the Foundation's Healty Youth Healthy Seniors Committee.
Wanda Cook-Robinson
Trustee

Superintendent
Southfield Public Schools
Dr. Cook-Robinson joined the Southfield Public Schools in 2004 as Associate Superintendent for Instruction. Prior to coming to SPS, she was Assistant Superintendent for Student Performance/Human Resources with Oakland Intermediate School District (OISD). Dr. Cook-Robinson's professional memberships include: The American Assoc. of School Administrators, American Society for Training and Dev., Assoc. for Supervision and Curriculum Dev., MI Assoc. of African American Superintendents and NAACP Southern Oakland County Chapter.
Suzanne Dibble
Trustee

President
Professional Skills
Suzanne divides her time between private consulting and community organizations. As President of Professional Skills, Inc. she consults with organizations on managing their people, organizational design and employee development. In addition to her board service at the Southfield Community Foundation Suzanne serves on the Board of: American Red Cross, Southeaster Michigan Chapter; Detroit Executive Service Corps; and Detroit Dance Collective.
Tracey L Ewing
Trustee

Corporate Controller
Roush Enterprises
Tracey has recently joined Roush Enterprises as their corporate controller. Previously she was a senior manager at Plante & Moran, responsible for planning, budgeting, accounting, and supervising not-for-profit engagements. She is a frequently requested presenter on not-for-profit accounting and auditing topics at internal and external training sessions. Tracey serves on the Foundation's Executive Committee and chairs the Finance Committee.
Brittney Foxhall
Trustee

YAC Chair
Southfield-Lathrup High School.
Brittney is a senior at Southfield-Lathrup High School. She has been a YAC member since her freshman year. Brittney is captain of the varsity softball team and president of the DECA chapter at S-L. She has also participated in activities such as varsity volleyball, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Generation of Promise, Scholars Plus, National Honor Society, and the Southfield Lathrup Marching Band.
Scott Griffin
Trustee

President
Griffin Properties
Scott is a commercial real estate investor, developer and broker. He has served as chairman of numerous boards, including Southfield/Lathrup Optimist Club, Detroit Metro Youth for Christ, Christian Urban Outreach, Michigan Theological Seminary and the Southfield Centers for Youth. He has been recognized as The Michigan Optimist of the Year; Distinguished Volunteer Award and National Fund-raising Award by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; and the Entrepreneurship Award by the HOBY Foundation.
Donald J. Gross
Trustee

Planning Consultant
Gross & Associates
Don recently retired as Southfield City Manager. His many years in city government give him a unique perspective on community needs and resources. Don chairs the Nominating Committee and sits on the Golf Committee.
Monika M. Lesinski
Trustee

Manager, Not For Profit and Municipal Services Team
Plante & Moran
Monika serves not for profit organizations in all areas of audit and tax services, as well as municipalities. She is responsible for planning, budgeting and supervising these client engagements.
Meredith Luckey
Trustee

YAC Vice-Chair
Southfield-Lathrup High School.
Meredith Luckey is the 2008-2009 vice chair of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). She is a senior at Southfield-Lathrup High School and has been a member of YAC since her freshman year. She is also captain of her school's Danceline and was a member of Scholar's Plus and National Honor Society.
Karen Miller
Trustee

Realtor
Coldwell Banker Schweitzer
Karen has been a consistent advocate for quality education, serving as a volunteer on just about every school related organization including two tours of duty on the Southfield School Board. Karen chairs the Education Committee and serves on the Development and Women's Fund committees.
Wayne Peal
Trustee

Community Editor
Southfield Eccentric
Wayne is an award winning writer and editor currently serving his second tour of duty as editor of the Southfield Eccentric. He has a personal commitment to excellence in schools, government and community. Wayne serves on the Grant and Public Relations Committees.
Eddie Gray Powers, Jr.
Trustee

Executive Director
Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Ed is intensly involved in our community through his leadership of the Chamber. A 30 year resident of Southfield, he has served on more than 9 different Boards and Commissions. Prior to joining the Chamber, Ed oversaw State Government Relations at KMart for 50 states.
James Ralph, Jr.
Trustee

Owner
James Ralph Agency
James has been providing full-service insurance solutions to the businesses and residents of Southfield since 1983. He is highly involved in the community, currently serving as chair of the South Oakland County N.A.A.C.P. and Southfield Downtown Development Authority. James serves on the Foundation's Nominating and Diversity Committees.
Rhonda C. Saunders
Trustee

Sr. V.P. Retail AdministrationTitle
Fifth Third Bank
Rhonda leads Fifth Third's impressive development of its branch banking network. She is a strong proponent of women in philanthropy. Rhonda chairs the Development Committee and sits on the Executive Committee and the Golf Committee.
James Scharret
Trustee

City Administrator
City of Southfield
Jim is a long-time city administrator who brings a hands-on experience to his Southfield post.
Cherryl R. Thames
Trustee

CEO
Hidden Treasures Coaching & Training
Cherryl is a dynamic coach, trainer and mentor who is passionate about youth leadership and development. She chairs the Grant Committee and sits on the Executive Committee, the Youth Center Committee and serves as a YAC advisor and consultant.
Mike D. Waring
Trustee

Vice President
Hubbell, Roth & Clark
Michael is an expert in the areas of municipal water, wastewater and stormwater management. Mr. Waring oversees HRC's Watershed Management Department, directs Water Vulnerability Assessment services for the firm, and serves as Principal-in-Charge for municipal engineering. Mr. Waring leads Total Quality Management efforts for the firm.
Larry D. Wright, Sr.
Trustee

President & CEO
Snelling Personnel Services
Larry is especially concerned with issues surrounding education, business development and youth mentoring. He served on the Southfield School Board for 12 years and is currently serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee. He owns two Snelling Personnel Services Franchises in Troy and Detroit and is President and CEO of Wrightway Group, LLC, a full service marketing communications company.
Angela Patrick Wynn
Trustee

Sr. Rep. Community Affairs
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Angela is a senior representative in the Community Affairs department at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. This highly motivated professional, recognized for her exceptional problem solving and public speaking skills is also a best-selling author of women's fiction.