W.K. Kellogg Foundation names three directors of programming and two program officers

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Aug 04, 2014, 10:38 ET

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) announces the appointment of three directors to its leadership team: Felicia DeHaney, director of Education & Learning; Loren Harris, director of Family Economic Security; and Esther Nieves, director of Community Engagement & Leadership. Reggie LaGrand, a long-time program officer at the foundation, is changing roles to become the program officer for the WKKF Community Leadership Network and Mark A. "Yazeed" Moore will be a program officer for WKKF's Grand Rapids, Michigan, work.

"These individuals bring a wealth of experience, outstanding leadership and expertise that will increase our effectiveness in working with communities to improve the lives of children. I am optimistic about what we can do with such strong talent working with our grantees, other partners and other community leaders and members," said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of WKKF.

Hired in March 2014, DeHaney leads the foundation's work focused on ensuring that all children are prepared for school and have the right support services to succeed, both nationally and in WKKF's four priority places – Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans. DeHaney joined the Kellogg Foundation after serving as president and CEO at the National Black Child Development Institute in Washington, D.C., where she worked to improve the lives of black children through education and advocacy.

Harris was promoted to director in May 2014, after serving as a program officer on the Family Economic Security team since January 2014. He came to the foundation from KIREN Legacy Enterprises, a social enterprise firm that assists businesses in creating social impact, which he founded and served as its CEO. Efforts were specifically focused on improving conditions for men and boys of color in low-income communities. As director of Family Economic Security, Harris leads efforts aimed at guiding families and communities toward self-sufficiency through promising career paths, accumulating assets and providing financial resources and services.

Nieves was promoted to director of Community Engagement & Leadership in July 2014, after serving as a program officer for community and civic engagement since December 2010. In this new role, Nieves leads the foundation's WKKF Community Leadership Network – a fellowship program launched in May 2014 to support emerging and existing leaders in strengthening skills and networks and bringing communities together as vigorous advocates for vulnerable children and their families. She also leads WKKF's programmatic work to support and assist communities in championing the full engagement of all sectors – civic, community, business and faith-based – in creating lasting, systemic change for children. She is the former national director of the Human Migration and Mobility/Project Voice for the American Friends Service Committee and also served as an independent consultant to nonprofits.

Working alongside Nieves, LaGrand is transitioning from his former role as co-lead for programming in Battle Creek, Michigan, to serve as the program officer for the WKKF Community Leadership Network. Prior to joining the foundation in 2007, LaGrand served as a director for the Calhoun County Juvenile Home, as a probation officer for the Calhoun County Juvenile Court and as assistant vice principal at Ann J. Kellogg Elementary School in Battle Creek.

Moore will join the Kellogg Foundation as a program officer in September 2014. In this role, he will co-lead, develop and coordinate grantmaking activities that address systemic barriers for vulnerable children and families in Grand Rapids. He is currently a program officer for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan, where he manages a grantmaking portfolio focused on youth and education. He also held former positions at the Indiana University Foundation and the Urban League of Philadelphia and worked as the director of research/foundation relations at Earlman College in Richmond, Indiana.

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 create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, 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. To learn more, visit www.wkkf.org or follow WKKF on Twitter at @wk_kellogg_fdn.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation