Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Announces Leadership Transition

President Karen VanHouten Minogue will transition to new role with Coastal Community Foundation in South Carolina. Director of Development Elizabeth Rowley appointed new President and CEO fulfilling Foundation succession plan.

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Montgomery, NY– After 10 years of leading day-to-day operations as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS), Karen VanHouten Minogue will move to South Carolina in October and lead the development efforts of Waccamaw Community Foundation, an affiliate of Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.  Minogue’s husband, Michael, retired in September 2014 and the couple have owned a second home in South Carolina since 2010. Elizabeth Rowley, who has significant nonprofit leadership experience and has served as CFOS Director of Development for the past two years, will become President and CEO effective October 17, fulfilling the Board of Directors’ strategic succession plan adopted in recent years.

“Thanks to the generosity of many donors and a dedicated board of directors, together with our founding contributors, we have achieved enormous success. A decade ago, I was privileged to have been chosen to lead the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and I thank the Board of Directors and this community for the wonderful experience. I am humbled to have been selected by Coastal Community Foundation to serve its affiliate, Waccamaw Community Foundation, and look forward to continuing this work for which I have developed such a passion,” said Ms. Minogue.

Derrik R. Wynkoop, Chairman of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, said: “In many ways this is sad news for the Community Foundation, since I know many donors, board members and other stakeholders in the community consider Karen such a great friend and colleague, and she will be missed greatly. However, we can only be thrilled for her and Mike as they officially start this next “full-time” chapter of their life in South Carolina. We have a solid Community Foundation with a great future thanks largely to Karen’s 10 plus years of leadership and dedication in leading our tremendous organization.”  Mr. Wynkoop added, “The Board has worked diligently over the past three years to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan that has strengthened this organization on every level. We have planned for this eventuality, and could not be more pleased to welcome Ms. Rowley as our new President and CEO. She has extensive nonprofit experience, two years of mentorship by Karen and strong local roots. Ms. Rowley is competent and poised to assume this role. The Board and our very proficient staff will ensure that all stakeholders continue to receive the highest level of service and attention.”

Since becoming the president of the Community Foundation of Orange County, Inc. in 2005, Ms. Minogue has led the organization throughout a period of sustained development and expansion. Under her direction, the Community Foundation grew to include Sullivan County, becoming the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan in 2006, and increased its total assets from $3.2 million to $15 million in 223 charitable funds. The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has become a trusted resource to hundreds of donors and their advisors, and has become the center for philanthropy in the region. Ms. Minogue manages a staff of three and oversees 223 charitable funds.
About the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

Since 1999, the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has been a driving force for philanthropy in the region.  The Community Foundation is a public foundation empowering hundreds of individuals and organizations to achieve their charitable dreams, for good, for ever.  It is an effective leader and resource for a wide range of charitable and philanthropic causes. To date the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has facilitated the distribution of over $7.6 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, please call (845) 769-9393 or visit www.cfosny.org.

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