Brenda Hunt, president and CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation (BCCF), has announced she will step down after 30 years with the community foundation.

BCCF shared in a press release that Hunt has guided the organization through the best and most challenging of times. When she took over leadership of the foundation, BCCF’s assets stood at $25 million. Under Hunt’s direction, those assets have grown to more than $140 million and the foundation now hosts 1,150 individual funds.

Throughout her 30 years of service, Hunt has been involved in many milestones for both Battle Creek and BCCF itself.

• Assisting with the successful transition of the Burnham Brook Senior Center to the Kool Family Community Center.
• Established two supporting organizations, the first focuses on college and technical training, the second provides fiscal management for groups and individuals who are making a difference in our community.
• Supporting the development of the Battle Creek Shelter, which is a low-barrier shelter for men and women.

“I am the most fortunate person in the world to have spent these last 30 years at the Battle Creek Community Foundation,” Hunt said in a BCCF press release. “I am forever grateful for being afforded this opportunity to serve the community I love. Now I believe it is time for new leadership, as BCCF heads into its next 50 years serving the community.”

During her tenure with BCCF, Hunt has consistently stressed the need for community outreach and involvement. She is also a firm advocate of partnerships within the community and the ability of those partnerships to grow and strengthen Battle Creek as a whole.

Preston Hicks, along with John Banks and BCCF Board Chair Linda Morrison, will be leading the committee tasked with finding Hunt’s replacement.

“We will continue to build on the significant successes of 49 years. Brenda has been a remarkable and highly effective leader in advancing the vision and purpose of our foundation. We are grateful for Brenda’s service and anticipate a dynamic search process that will include community engagement,” Morrison said.

A transition committee has been assembled to manage the search process for BCCF’s next CEO. A search consultant and community input sessions are forthcoming.

“It is with enormous gratitude that I offer a heartfelt thank you to all of the staff, current and former trustees, volunteers and loyal donors and community members for the mission we have shared,” Hunt said.