Luanne Thomas Ewald to succeed Matt Friedman as Chair
DETROIT, September 29, 2021 – The Children’s Foundation announced today that it will transition to new Board leadership consistent with its ongoing evolution and succession planning strategies. Luanne Thomas Ewald was unanimously selected to become Chair of the Board of Trustees succeeding Matt Friedman, who will remain on the Board.
Ewald, who currently serves as COO at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital & Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, has been a member of The Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2016. Ewald’s professorial experience and passion for creating happier, healthier futures for children and families make her an ideal fit for the role. Her passion and leadership will strategically guide The Foundation in its mission and impact.
“Luanne Ewald is a true leader in pediatric healthcare and also an active advocate for the social determinants of health impacting children and families,” stated Lawrence J. Burns, President & CEO of The Foundation. “We are in great hands looking forward into the future.”
“It is my honor and privilege to continue the wonderful work of The Children’s Foundation to improve the health and wellness of kids in Michigan. The needs are great and The Foundation has positioned itself to create a significant and strategic impact, making a profound difference in the lives of children and families,” stated Ewald.
Friedman, co-founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications, has been a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2011 and has served as Chair since 2014. Under his tenure, The Foundation has evolved from a spinout hospital-focused foundation into an independent statewide community-based foundation for children and families.
“Matt Friedman has been a guiding light for The Children’s Foundation for over seven years. I am grateful for his leadership and support and so happy that he will remain as an active board member moving forward,” Burns added.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be entrusted by our community to lead this outstanding, cohesive Board through expansive growth in its fundraising and grantmaking to benefit the children of Michigan,” said Friedman. “One of our key objectives in recent years has been to recruit proven and emerging leaders to our Board. I’m proud that now, one of those leaders drawn to our mission can lead our organization into its next phase of impact.”
The Children’s Foundation continues to grow and evolve its role as the premier foundation focused on the health and wellness of the community, state and region through its relationships with more than 130 community partners.
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About The Children’s Foundation:
The Children’s Foundation, an independent community foundation for children, is the largest funder dedicated solely to advancing the health and wellness of children in the state of Michigan and beyond. Through fundraising, grant-making and advocacy The Children’s Foundation enables researchers and community organizations to identify and implement innovations capable of advancing children’s health and wellness. Since 2011, the Foundation has distributed more than 70 million dollars in grant funding to more than 130 partners throughout the state. Current initiatives of The Children’s Foundation include Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, The Jamie Daniels Foundation and the Paul W. Smith Charities. Current areas of focus for the Foundation include mental health, nutritional wellness, abuse and neglect, oncology and cardiology research and injury prevention. Learn more at www.YourChildrensFoundation.org.
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