DuPage Foundation’s Board of Trustees has engaged DHR Global, headquartered in Chicago, to assist in the search for the Foundation’s next President & CEO.
For the last 25 years DuPage Foundation has been led by President & CEO Dave McGowan, who, in February, announced his intent to retire by the end of the calendar year. During his tenure, DuPage Foundation experienced immense growth, established new initiatives, received countless accolades and made significant community impact.
When McGowan started as executive director in 1998, DuPage Foundation’s assets totaled nearly $4 million and its cumulative grantmaking totaled nearly $1 million. Today, the Foundation’s assets exceed more than $130 million and its cumulative grantmaking totals $65 million—a combined $200 million in total charitable capital.
“The Board of Trustees is pleased to be working with DHR Global as they are experts in the foundation and not-for-profit fields,” said Board Chair Nate Wasson. “To replace Dave McGowan is an extremely tall order and we can’t do it alone. The firm is going to help us recruit a highly-qualified candidate who can take DuPage Foundation into the future and we are excited to start our national search for our next President & CEO.”
DHR Global’s Nonprofit Practice Managing Partner James Abruzzo and Partner Cyd Kinney are working with the Foundation’s Search Committee to issue the position description and compile a list of potential candidates.
“We are pleased to have been selected to assist the Board in this search,” said Abruzzo. “DuPage Foundation plays an important role in the health and vitality of the community by raising the quality of life for the residents of DuPage County. We believe the next President & CEO will either have experience leading a foundation of comparable size, will be head of fundraising for a larger foundation, or will be a business executive from the community. The ideal candidate will understand philanthropy, the community, the great cadre of donors, and is empathetic to the significant social, health and educational needs of our great county.”
The full job description will be posted on local and national job search websites within the next few weeks. Candidates interested in pursuing this role can contact James Abruzzo at jabruzzo@dhrglobal.com.
