Board of Directors

The Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo serves as the President and sole member of the Foundation. The Board of Directors, consisting of the Diocese’s Bishop, Vicar General and CFO, govern all operations and actions of the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Michigan, and is accountable to both donors and recipients.The four-member board is responsible for compliance with federal, state and canon laws. 

Advisory Board

Composed of Catholic lay leaders across the diocese in the fields of financial and investment planning, attorneys, as well as from the presbyterate, the Advisory Board provides guidance, support, and feedback to the Board and officers to assist them in identifying development opportunities, Diocesan needs and in implementing programs efficiently and effectively. The Advisory Board may also advise the Board on the management, investment and reinvestment of funds.

The Advisory Board is comprised of up to eleven members and meets 6-8 times each year. Members serve three-year terms and can be reappointed to an additional three-year term. Members are appointed by the Board of Directors after being recommended through a review and interview process. The Advisory Board is led by a layperson, appointed by the Board of Directors and who presides over all meetings.

Board Chair and liason to the Board of Directors - Ian Kennedy
Members - 

• Bobbie Otto
• Theresa Cypher
• Sherry Gesmundo
• Robert Wilson
• James Hemenway
• Tim Harding
• Michael Willis
• Msgr. Thomas Martin

Staff

The day to day activities of the Foundation are carried out by the staff of the Foundation who manages all aspects of operating the Foundation.

Tom Dowdall
Victoria Cessna
Kristin Corra