A Grateful Goodbye: Highlighting the Foundation's Retiring Trustees
As the year comes to a close, the Foundation prepares to bid a fond farewell to two dedicated members of its board of trustees: Anna Converse, who has served for 11 years, and Karen Calhoun, who has served for 9 years. In addition to their service on the board, both have been active on several committees.
Reflecting on her experiences, Converse, who served as board chair in 2020 and as the chair of the program committee twice, shared that the site visits with nonprofit partners stand out as some of the most memorable moments. These visits allow trustees to witness firsthand the effects of the Foundation’s support. “I would have to say the Northside Project had the greatest impact during my time,” she noted, highlighting how it benefited housing, education, childcare, community engagement, and more for Northside residents.
Both Converse and Calhoun take pride in how the board has consistently assessed and responded to community needs through thoughtful dialogue and welcoming diverse perspectives. A notable shift during their tenure has been the Foundation’s recent commitment to a sole focus on children and families. “From my perspective, the most impactful decision we have made is to singularly focus on children and their families with everything we do,” Calhoun, retiring trustee and three-time program committee chair said. “This focus sharpens all our decisions, making a real difference in the lives of our most vulnerable populations during critical development stages.”
As they prepare to step down, both trustees express optimism about the Foundation’s future. They are confident that the staff and board will continue to listen, adapt, and scale their efforts to meet the community’s evolving needs.
“Anna and Karen are two remarkable community leaders who have served the Foundation over the last decade,” said Molly Talbot-Metz, Foundation president & CEO. “Their unique experiences and perspectives have helped guide our strategic direction and programmatic focus. We are tremendously grateful for their servant leadership.”
