Suann Hammersmith, MNM, served as the President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation for more than 20 years. Her previous nonprofit experience included Executive Director of a local United Way and a chapter of a national health charity. She holds a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University in Denver, and a B.A. from Western Michigan University. Sue attained the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation in 2008, and currently holds the CFRE (Ret.) lifetime designation. She is nationally certified as a Faculty Trainer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and as a Nonprofit Board Consultant through BoardSource.
As a co-founder and the first CEO of Lenawee Community Foundation, Sue was instrumental in raising $39 million, and awarding $24 million in grants. During her tenure, national standards accreditation was achieved; programs, policies, and procedures were developed; and a solid foundation was laid on which to build for the future. Subsequently, she served as the Executive Director of the inaugural Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, facilitating the work of the Commission to ensure fair and independent maps for Michigan Congressional, House, and Senate districts.
The nine-month Planned Change Internship course completed in 2000 helped to launch Sue’s consulting in strategic planning with numerous human services, arts, education, and government organizations and foundations. She redesigned Leadership Lenawee, which she co-facilitated for the Lenawee Chamber, and developed Lenawee Youth Leadership, which she co-facilitated for 20 years.
As a continuous learner and incessant reader, Sue has provided countless hours as a resource, mentor and coach, assisting nonprofits with board governance and nonprofit management. She has created several workshops to strengthen nonprofits with best practices, governance, fund development, and financial stability.
Areas of Expertise:
-Strategic planning
-Fund development
-Board governance
-Transition planning
-Leadership
-Program development
-Nonprofit mergers and acquisitions
-Marketing
-Coaching/mentoring
Foundation Experience:
-Monroe Community Foundation
-Lenawee Community Foundation
-Weld Community Foundation
-Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation
-Lenawee County Education Foundation
-Tecumseh Schools Foundation
-Britton Deerfield Education Foundation
