Leigh Kunde will wrap up 22 years of service as executive director of the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee at the end of July, according to an announcement made by the center on Thursday.
Kunde aims to find a new role as she continues her career, according to the announcement.
“It has been an honor to work with nonprofit organizations whose critical missions change lives and improve the quality of life for all of us,” Kunde said. “Since its founding in 1967, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee has been here to support nonprofits at every stage of their development to be strong and vital contributors and catalysts for change. I am extremely proud of our work together and I have grown professionally from the opportunity to serve. My passion and commitment to support nonprofit capacity and building community will continue moving forward.”
Kunde has led the nonprofit organization since 1993, and in 1996 established its current name after it previously existed as Milwaukee Associates in Urban Development. Among the other highlights anchoring Kunde’s career with the center is the purchase of the center’s headquarters at 2819 W. Highland Boulevard in 2002, the merger of the organization with Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee in 2003, the development of its Finance Center in 2007, and the launch of a new website – www.npcmilwaukee.org – last year.
“Through her leadership, compassion, creativity and vision. Leigh has had a profound impact on the nonprofit community in and around Milwaukee over the past several decades,” said Josh Bierbach, chair of the Nonprofit Center’s board of directors. “We are so grateful for her service.”
The center’s board of directors is heading a search for Kunde’s successor and expects to fill the position shortly after she exits.
The Nonprofit Center offers area agencies a spectrum of resources and workshops designed to build their capacity and advance their missions. The center also advocates for the strength of the nonprofit sector as a whole as it promotes volunteerism and encourages cross sector collaboration.
