Greater Midland is pleased to introduce Kristen McDonald as its next CEO. Kristen was selected after an extensive search throughout the Midwest and beyond. “Kristen’s leadership experience, her deep knowledge of program strategy and fund development will make her an outstanding leader for Greater Midland,” said Kathy Fothergill, chairman of the Greater Midland Board of Trustees.
Kristen most recently served as vice president of Program and Policy for The Skillman Foundation, a Detroit non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of children. She has made it her mission to improve outcomes for children and ensure students graduate from high school ready for college, career and life.
Kristen McDonald
Greater Midland CEO
In her role there, she developed and implemented city-wide education reform strategy, place-based neighborhood revitalization/school improvement integration strategy and public policy agendas addressing institutional inequality issues.
In addition, she served as external voice for the vision of the foundation and provided leadership and management for all foundation program strategy including the direction of over $175 million in grants to Detroit schools over the last eight years.
Prior to her work at the foundation, Kristen served as the chief of staff to State Superintendent of Schools Mike Flanagan. She has worked extensively in the policy field of early childhood education and was one of the chief architects of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and Great Start, Michigan’s system of education and care for children from birth to kindergarten.
Kristen earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Michigan State University and her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan Flint/Ann Arbor.
She is a Michigan native and currently lives in Bay City with her husband, Joseph Rivet and is the mother and step-mother to six children.
Kristen’s first day with Greater Midland will be Monday, August 1. In the next week, Kristen will be meeting with Greater Midland employees. “I am immeasurably excited about joining Greater Midland. The work being done in and for the community is exceptional,” Kristen said.
