Summer/Fall 2018

The Dayton Foundation News

$1 Million Gift to Extend Initiative, Engage Greater Dayton’s Older Adult Population

The Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative of The Dayton Foundation recently received a $1 million grant from the DMH-Fund of The Dayton Foundation. The grant will extend the three-year pilot program, which launched in 2016 thanks to an initial $1 million grant from the DMH-Fund, to connect retired or career-transitioning older adults with nonprofit initiatives that benefit the Greater Dayton community.

Currently the Foundation has six active fellowships, with the newest ones at Dayton Metro Library to help establish a sustainable, volunteer-led Homework Help afterschool program; National Conference for Community and Justice to research the demand in Greater Dayton for diversity and inclusion training; and, St. Mary Development Corporation to research the capacity for technology to improve healthcare access for low-income senior residents.

For more information about partnering with the Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative, either as a fellow or a volunteer, click here.

Jeanne Holihan Transitions to New Role as VP of Operations

The Dayton Foundation is pleased to introduce Jeanne Holihan as the new vice president of Operations. A longtime Dayton-area resident, Jeanne previously was the senior fellow for the Foundation’s Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative. Prior to that she was a retired vice president and treasurer for Dayton Power and Light where she gained extensive knowledge in financial and strategic planning, as well as human resource management. She also serves as the treasurer and past president of the Board for Dayton Metro Library and has helped to oversee the recent reconstruction of library facilities.

The Dayton Foundation is excited to have Jeanne in her new position and sincerely thanks her predecessor, Deborah Dulaney, who recently retired after 11 years with the Foundation. We wish Deb much happiness as she starts a new chapter in her life.

Meet Eleanor Comyns, New Executive Assistant to the President

Originally from England, Eleanor Comyns recently joined the Foundation following the retirement of longtime executive assistant Rose Ann Eckart. Eleanor has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Global Studies from Pacific Lutheran University located in Tacoma, Washington. Since graduating, Eleanor has held several positions in government and politics, including working for a Washington State senator as a legislative assistant. Welcome to the Foundation, Eleanor, and many good wishes to Rose Ann in her retirement.

Noreen Willhelm Is the New Del Mar Encore Senior Fellow

After nearly 30 years with various nonprofit organizations in Southwest Ohio, Noreen Willhelm joined the Foundation as the Del Mar Encore senior fellow.

Noreen has served as interim or permanent executive director with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Planned Parenthood and the former music and dance troupe Rhythm in Shoes. Most recently, she was the national director for The Grail, an international movement of women inspired by their spiritual values to work on social justice issues. Before moving to the nonprofit arena, Noreen worked as a reporter and editor for Dayton Daily News and The Journal Herald. ❧

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