February 8, 2010

Richland County Foundation CEO to Retire

Thomas Depler, Chair of the Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees, announced that President Pamela Siegenthaler will be retiring this summer after nearly 16 years of employment as head of the foundation staff.

Pam Siegenthaler, said, “This has been the job of a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people and learn so much about our community.”

During her tenure, Mrs. Siegenthaler has led several initiatives, including The Women’s Fund, Summertime Kids, Teacher Assistance Program (TAP), and Connections. In addition to increased grantmaking, the Foundation has increased their offering of support for community charitable organizations through regular workshops and development opportunities for staff and board. The Foundation has been a partner in several community efforts, including the United Way NAPAC, the Agent and Client Tracking (ACT) at the public Library, and more recently SPARC, the P-16 Initiative for Ashland, Richland and Crawford Counties. Most importantly, the Foundation has grown from a little known organization to one that openly partners with the entire community. The Foundation is governed by a diversified board of 19 trustees from throughout the county who bring leadership and community knowledge and serve without pay.

The Board of Trustees has accepted her request with a target date of June 30, 2010. Chair Tom Depler is in the process of leading a Search Committee that has already begun their process to seek and hire a replacement CEO.

Established in 1945, Richland County Foundation currently has assets of $74 million and holds 307 component funds directed to improve the quality of life in Richland County. During 2009, the Foundation received $4.2 in contributions and paid grants of $2.7 million. A current staff of five fulltime employees is responsible for the operation of the Foundation.