Brookfield, Wis. — The Funeral Service Foundation welcomes Kathy Wisnefski as its new executive director, replacing Celi Clark Haga. Wisnefski has a background in fund development and nonprofit organization management as a consultant with McDonald Schaefer Group. She acted as interim executive director since August 2011, and began her new position on February 1.
The Foundation’s executive search committee – which was chaired by the Foundation’s Immediate Past Chair Alan Creedy, and included Foundation Chair Shaun Myers, Chair-elect Jerry Reichert, Past Chair Scott Anthony; Trustee Steve Lang; and National Funeral Directors Association CEO Christine Pepper, CAE – sifted through several dozen qualified candidates.
“We were looking for someone who could be the ‘face’ of the foundation; someone who would challenge the organization and its trustee board to more than double its endowment and fulfill its mission of being a catalyst for positive change in the death care profession,” said Creedy.
“Kathy has the strong leadership skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, exceptional experience in fund raising and a wonderful passion for our cause to be a key element in the future growth and development of the Funeral Service Foundation,” Myers added.
The decision was unanimous to recommend Wisnefski as the new executive director. “Personally, I am excited and energized by this choice,” Creedy offered. “I believe more than ever, with Kathy at the helm, that the Foundation will achieve its true potential as a positive force in the death care profession.”
About the Funeral Service Foundation
The Funeral Service Foundation, through grants, scholarships and research initiatives, supports career and professional development in funeral service, the advancement of funeral service and allied professions, public awareness and education, and the improvement of children’s lives. For more information, visit http://www.funeralservicefoundation.org.
