Donald G. Williamson named vice president of finance and treasurer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

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Jan 07, 2014, 09:45 ET

Board of trustees also elects new board chair, trustees and officers

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) announces the selection of Donald G. Williamson as vice president of finance and treasurer and a foundation officer, election of a new board chair, as well as re-election of its trustees and officers during its annual meeting, Dec. 17, 2013.

Prior to this appointment, Williamson served as the director of financial services at the Kellogg Foundation since June 2012, providing leadership for finance and accounting operations. Before joining WKKF, he was the vice president of finance and operations at the Beaumont Foundation within the Beaumont Health System in Royal Oak, Mich. A Michigan native, he holds an MBA in finance from Wayne State University in Detroit and his BBA in accounting from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Michigan.

"Don is an engaged and accomplished leader, bringing both technical and philanthropic experience to this position," said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of the Kellogg Foundation. "His commitment to the foundation's values and to the stewardship of the legacy of our founder Will Keith Kellogg is noteworthy, as well as his responsibility, prudence and sound judgment. I look forward to Don's contributions that will help us champion community-led solutions for children so that they can all reach their full potential."

Board-chair and officer elections and trustee terms
Bobby D. Moser of Columbus, Ohio, was elected as foundation board chair for a two-year term, replacing Roderick D. Gillum of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., whose term as chair expired. Moser also was re-elected to a three-year trustee term, as was Ramón Murguía of Kansas City, Kan. Wenda Weekes Moore of Minneapolis completed her board service after 26 years, bringing the total number of trustees to 10.

"We are extremely grateful for the 26 years of service of Wenda Weekes Moore," continued Tabron. Wenda believes in and lives Mr. Kellogg's values every day. Few have been more adept at making sure that his values are reflected in the foundation's grantmaking today. She is a wonderful example to us all of the servant leader, and she is a great booster of philanthropy, helping others give of their time, talents and treasure to the collective good."

Other Kellogg Foundation board members include: Celeste A. Clark, Joseph M. Stewart and Richard M. Tsoumas of Battle Creek; Fred P. Keller of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Hanmin Liu of San Francisco; Cynthia H. Milligan of Lincoln, Neb.; and incoming President and Chief Executive Officer La June Montgomery Tabron of Kalamazoo, Mich.

The following individuals, in addition to Montgomery Tabron, were re-elected as foundation officers: Gail C. Christopher, vice president – program strategy; Kathryn A. Krecke, general counsel and corporate secretary; Joanne K. Krell, vice president for communications; James E. McHale, vice president – program strategy; Linh Nguyen, vice president of learning and impact; Carla D. Thompson, vice president – program strategy; and Joel Wittenberg, vice president and chief investment officer.

Appointed to the board's audit committee were Clark (chair) Gillum, Keller, Liu, Montgomery Tabron (ex-officio) and Moser (ex-officio). Appointed to the board development committee were Murguía (chair), Keller, Stewart, Tsoumas, Montgomery Tabron (ex-officio) and Moser (ex-officio). Appointed to the budget committee were Tsoumas (chair), Gillum, Milligan, Murguía, Montgomery Tabron (ex-officio) and Moser (ex-officio). Appointed to the finance committee were Liu (chair), Clark, Milligan, Stewart, Montgomery Tabron (ex-officio) and Moser (ex-officio).

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to help break the cycle of poverty by removing barriers based on race or income that hold back children, so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation