W.K. Kellogg Foundation PRESIDENT AND CEO

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Battle Creek, MI

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The foundation is seeking a president and CEO.

Over the course of several years, the president and CEO worked with the board of trustees and staff to create a strategy that would link future activities to the past vision and create a clear focus for its work. The resulting strategic framework is focused on the health, well-being and education of vulnerable children and their families; breaking the generational cycle of poverty and creating sustainable social change. The foundation is committed to the active pursuit of racial equity, the eradication of structural racism and the promotion of racial healing, the efficacy of place-based work and the rigorous encouragement of civic and community  engagement.

The foundation remains true to the values of its founder and stands out among its peers for its sharp programmatic focus, its commitment to on-the-ground community action, and for its dedication to creating meaningful and lasting change.  WKKF’s  strategic framework recognizes that systemic change is neither easy nor quick.  It acknowledges the depth of structural poverty and the limited understanding of the means for creating sustained social change.  Nothing about the course that the foundation has set is either easy or rote.  It demands a leader of vision and creativity; passionate about the mission; and diligent in moving ideas into action, evaluating results and building on successes.

Based in Battle Creek, Mich., the Kellogg Foundation works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority locations in the U.S. are located in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.

The stage is set for a new president and CEO to lead the foundation in achieving significant progress by utilizing extraordinary assets including: an innovative strategic framework that guides the work and is in turn refined by on-the-ground results; a culture of experimentation and risk-taking, learning from experience and applying leading practices; a board of singular focus and dedication; a strong endowment; and a talented, dedicated staff.  

The president and CEO is responsible for the operations of the foundation, facilitating work with the board of trustees, enhancing and implementing programs that strengthen and deepen the mission of the foundation, and managing all aspects of staff activities including providing oversight of all systems of accountability. The position requires a high level of visibility both internally and externally.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has retained the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in this search.

TO OFFER NOMINATIONS OR TO APPLY: Applications, including a resume and a substantive cover letter responding to the challenges outlined above, should be sent to the following electronic mailbox: 4779@IMsearch.com Inquiries and nominations can be addressed to: Jane Gruenebaum or Sean Farrell, Isaacson, Miller, 1300 19th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036. Electronic submission of material is strongly encouraged.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Us: 4779@IMsearch.com