Today Bishop Walkowiak announced Greg Deja, principal/CEO of Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, as the new executive director of The Catholic Foundation of West Michigan and Erinn Hill as the new stewardship officer for The Foundation.
In his role as executive director, Deja will build a team of professionals to bring The Foundation in alignment with the new strategic plan approved in early May by the Foundation’s Trustees and Advisory Board. The strategic plan outlines steps to rebrand and grow The Foundation and its offerings over the next three years (2020-2022). Deja was responsible for leading the development efforts of the $10M Greatest Gift Campaign and the $9.2M CAT athletic center renovation during his time as principal/CEO at Catholic Central.
“For 25 years, the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan has provided a place for Catholics to support their parishes, schools, and other charitable causes connected to the Catholic Church in West Michigan. Over these next three years, the trustees of The Foundation see an opportunity to have a greater impact on Catholic generosity in West Michigan and we are excited to have Greg lead us in this exciting stage of growth,” said Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids and trustee of The Catholic Foundation.
“It has been a great privilege to serve the Catholic Central community for the past eleven years, and I am honored to be making a transition with The Foundation,” said Deja. “I look forward to helping inspire and initiate new strategies for The Foundation and continuing the great work of connecting the generous people of West Michigan to the valuable philanthropic opportunities throughout our diocese.”
In her role as stewardship officer, Hill will be responsible for building relationships with donors and Catholic ministries along with designing engagement experiences that occur once generosity has been offered to The Foundation. Hill currently works as the development officer for McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation in Petoskey.
The executive director and stewardship officer positions are a result of the new strategic plan for The Foundation and generous gifts to the Our Shepherds – Our Future Capital Campaign. The Foundation has been led for the past 25 years by Mark Morrow and the staff at The Breton Group.
Deja begins as executive director on July 27. Hill begins as stewardship officer on July 1.
