Greater Milwaukee Foundation picks Gilligan to succeed Jansson
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation announced it has selected Ellen Gilligan as its new president and chief executive officer.
Gilligan, currently vice president for Community Investment at The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, will become the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s third chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1. Gilligan succeeds Douglas Jansson, who is retiring after 17 years of service. She was selected by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation board after a nationwide search.
“Ellen has a depth and breadth of experience over more than two decades of community service that uniquely positions her to guide the Greater Milwaukee Foundation into our next century of service,” said foundation Board chair Judy Jorgensen. “The foundation and the greater Milwaukee community are truly fortunate to have a leader of her caliber and ability.”
“What impresses us most about Ellen is her dedication to the entire Cincinnati community and her belief that community foundations play a critical role working with other community partners to successfully address many of the long-term issues facing us, particularly issues involving education,” said incoming foundation board chair John Daniels Jr. “We are confident that Ellen, working closely with the Foundation Board and staff, will be a key leader in efforts to successfully identify and address some of the pressing issues facing our community.”
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is a family of more than 1,000 individual charitable funds, each created by donors to serve the charitable causes of their choice. Grants from these funds serve people throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties and beyond. In 2009, the foundation made grants of more than $27 million and achieved assets of $519 million. Started in 1915, the foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the world.
Fondy tourism group names new president
The Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) has named Craig Molitor as president.
Prior to joining the FACVB, Molitor’s professional career spanned four distinct areas in the hospitality, tour and travel industries: operations, management, sales and marketing and, most recently, project management for SearchWide.
Molitor said, “A region’s population is significantly served by the economic activity generated by the hospitality and tour and travel industries. Educational opportunities, employment, infrastructure, philanthropy, culture and many other quality-of-life issues see positive impact from increased travel to the area. I am humbled by the opportunity to join the FACVB Team. This is a group of accomplished and dedicated destination marketing professionals. Of course, my wife and I have fallen in love with this community. Fond du Lac is beautiful with so much to offer visitors and residents alike.”
