
Leadership & Staff
Our experienced leadership team is dedicated to the continued evolution and growth of The Children’s Foundation. We are taking the lead on developing opportunities to effect change.
The team at The Children’s Foundation is a diverse blend of inspired and exceptional people who are driven by our vision for improving the well-being of children. Compassionate and caring we use our diverse perspectives and strengths to continue to evolve our brand and partnerships to serve our mission. Together, we continue to use an entrepreneurial spirit to develop and carry out innovative programs and services as a strong and committed community partner.
Leadership

Lawrence J. Burns
President & Chief Executive Officer

Lawrence J. Burns
President & Chief Executive Officer
A Detroit native, Lawrence J. Burns returned to Detroit in January 2017 to lead the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation in their efforts to make a lasting, positive impact on Michigan children. The Foundation is now on a path to becoming a statewide community foundation for children and currently awards approximately 25% of its grants to community-based organizations. The CHM Foundation now has 40 community-based, service-oriented partners assisting children and their families. The CHM Foundation has surpassed the $50 million level of community support since 2011.
Mr. Burns has guided the Foundation’s development of a new brand platform that includes the first ever Five Focus Areas of Support. Mr. Burns spearheaded the search for a new Foundation office location which resulted in a convenient and centralized location in Detroit’s New Center area in the iconic Fisher Building. The Foundation launched a dynamic Planned Giving program that includes the Children’s Future Society and a professional Advisory group.
Mr. Burns hosts the popular WJR radio program known as Caring for Kids. The Foundation now has multiple partnerships with the likes of Crain’s Detroit Business, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, the Mid-American Conference and many more. All partnerships are designed to spread the word about the support the Foundation is providing to assist children and their families. A Little Champion program, established in 2017, now honors young champions that have overcome major obstacles in their young lives.
The Foundation is now managing several community-based foundations that are emerging as community leaders all within the Foundation’s three mission-based pillars. Included is The Jamie Daniels Foundation in its mission of addressing the opioid addiction crisis.
Mr. Burns has recently led the effort to create the Michigan Advocates for Youth Behavioral Health. This advocacy collaboration held their first Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Summit on May 14, 2019.
Mr. Burns is a member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Macomb County Chamber, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Detroit Economic Club, Detroit Regional Chamber, Advisory Council member of the Root Cause Coalition, The Jamie Daniels Foundation Board of Trustees, and sits on the Executive Committee and Board of CATCH.
Mr. Burns is a graduate of Central Michigan University and previously served as Vice President for Advancement at the University of Akron following more than two decades of health care and higher education development, marketing and executive experience in multiple Executive leadership roles at the University of Toledo and the Medical College of Ohio. Mr. Burns has also served as President & CEO of both the Medical College of Ohio Foundation and the University of Akron Foundation.

Doug Ferrick
Chief Development Officer

Doug Ferrick
Chief Development Officer
Doug brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic fund development, team building, and management to the Foundation. He most recently served as the Vice President of Donor Relations with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Prior to his work for the United way, Ferrick served as the Chief Development Officer and Capital Campaign Director for the Children’s Center of Wayne County. He also has worked for Matrix Human Services / Barat Child and Family Services in Detroit. He is now serving as the Chief Development Officer for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation. Contact Doug at (313) 261-9888 or DFerrick@yourchildrensfoundation.org

David J. Lochner
Chief Financial Officer

David J. Lochner
Chief Financial Officer
David recently joined the Children’s Foundation leadership team as its Chief Financial Officer. In this capacity, he is responsible for financial stewardship and works with the executive leadership team on the development and execution of strategic partnerships. He was most recently President of Huntington National Bank’s East Michigan Region. There he was responsible for revenue growth within the Bank’s consumer, commercial, and private client customer segments operating within a region encompassing the eastern half of the state of Michigan, as well as the execution of the bank’s various community engagement and brand development strategies. Previously, he was President of FirstMerit Bank (Michigan) and was specifically responsible for the bank’s Commercial, Industrial, Commercial Real Estate, and Not-For-Profit lines of business throughout the state. Prior to joining FirstMerit, he served as the Director of Commercial Banking for RBS Citizens’ Commercial Banking Group in Michigan and was a Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Division Head for LaSalle Bank Midwest. His banking career began at National Bank of Detroit, where he held various positions in Commercial Banking. Prior to beginning his commercial banking career, he was Director of Bands at Northwest Junior High School, Jackson, Michigan. There, he led several award-winning ensembles in both Symphonic and Jazz music genres. David holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education from Eastern Michigan University. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Samaritas and is its Secretary, is a member of the Huntington National Bank Advisory Boards in the Great Lakes Bay and Flint regions, and is on the Finance and Audit Committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. He formerly served as a Director on the Boards of FirstMerit Bank, N.A., the Samaritas Foundation, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, the Midnight Golf Program, and the British American Chamber of Commerce. A life-long Michigander, David currently lives in West Bloomfield Township with Marilyn, his wife of 41 years. Together, they have raised three children and have been blessed with five grandchildren.

Jodi Wong
Vice President of Operations and Grants

Jodi Wong
Vice President of Operations and Grants
Jodi has more than 23 years of experience in healthcare philanthropy. She is serving Vice President of Operations for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation. In addition to several years with the Foundation, her previous experience includes many years with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, St. John Hospital & Medical Center and St. John Health Foundation. Jodi is a graduate of the University of Michigan, a lifelong Detroiter and a graduate of Leadership Detroit XXII. Wong is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has served on numerous boards. Contact Jodi at (313) 745-5855 or JWong@yourchildrensfoundation.org
Our Staff

Gayle Berner
Program Officer
Gayle Berner
Program Officer
(313) 745-8890

Sean Camburn
Gift Processing and Donor Stewardship Associate
Sean Camburn
Gift Processing and Donor Stewardship Associate
(313) 964-6994

Joseph Clawson
Gift Processing and Donor Stewardship Associate
Joseph Clawson
Gift Processing and Donor Stewardship Associate
(313) 745-2429

Laura DeLorme
Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist
Laura DeLorme
Digital Marketing &
Communications Specialist
(313)745–5291

Tracy Eppler
Board Liaison, Assistant Secretary to the Board and Chief Liaison to the President
Tracy Eppler
Board Liaison, Assistant Secretary to the Board and Chief Liaison to the President
(313) 745-1933

Julianna Gonzalez
Development Assistant
Julianna Gonzalez
Development Assistant
(313) 964-6994

Kees Groenewegen
Assoc. Director, Donor Relations
Kees Groenewegen
Associate Director, Donor Relations
(313)261–9861

Oresha Greenidge Foster
Director of Operations & Human Resource Relations
Oresha Greenidge
Director of Operations & Human Resource Relations
(313) 993-8122

Kate Kesner
Donor Engagement Manager
Kate Kesner
Donor Engagement Manager
(313) 745-8814

DeLaura Moeller
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
DeLaura Moeller
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
(313) 745-5422

Jill Nelson
Director of Marketing & Communications
Jill Nelson
Director of Marketing & Communications
(313) 966-2022

Kristine Ostrosky
Operations & Program Assistant
Kristine Ostrosky
Operations & Program Assistant

Cristina Paglia
Multimedia Specialist
Cristina Paglia
Multimedia Specialist
(313)745–2310

Therese Quattrociocchi-Longe
Director – Corporate & Foundation Relations and Senior Program Officer
Therese Quattrociocchi-Longe
Director – Corporate & Foundation Relations and Senior Program Officer
(313) 745-0138

Kari Radjewski
Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
Kari Radjewski
Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
(313)261–9882

George Westerman
Associate Director, Donor Relations & Gift Planning
George Westerman
Associate Director Donor Relations & Gift Planning
(313) 745-9344

Dianne Wilson
Manager, Constituent Information and Donor Stewardship
Dianne Wilson
Manager, Constituent Information and Donor Stewardship
(313) 993-8815