We received the following press release from FROM. Photo courtesy of Wendie Preiss used in a past article about her.
LOWELL: The Board of Directors of FROM is pleased to announce the appointment of Wendie Preiss as Executive Director of the Christian non-profit organization. Preiss will start her new role on January 6, 2020 and will work with Dawn Broene, outgoing Executive Director, through February.
“The FROM Board is excited that Wendie will be the next leader of this great organization. We believe her experience, leadership skills and passion for the community will serve FROM well in the future,” says Ryan Kresge, FROM Board of Directors Chairperson.
Preiss’ appointment also comes with the support of Broene who stated, “I am excited that Wendie has accepted the position as Executive Director of FROM. She has a background in management of organizations and a heart of a servant leader. Her passion for the community and people of Lowell is evident any time you talk to her. There is no question in my mind that she is the right leader for the future of FROM. I cannot wait to see what is in store for the future of FROM under her direction.”
Preiss has worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations including Heart of West Michigan United Way, Michigan State University, and FROM in the areas of cultural intelligence, data analysis, and team building. Prior to owning her own business, she worked for Amway for 15 years in a variety of leadership and functional positions, including an assignment in Tokyo, Japan. She and her husband and their two boys (age 14 and 9) have lived in Lowell for five years. She began volunteering at FROM over a year ago in the Treasures Thrift Shop donation room and volunteered her time to do an analysis of store revenue and identify areas of growth.
When asked what she was looking forward to about the new position, Preiss shared, “back in 2012, I attended a training that helped participants develop their personal sense of purpose. Mine is posted in my home office and reads ‘To make a positive, long-lasting impact. To help people live fulfilling, happy, and rewarding lives. To offer self-awareness, confidence, energy, and importance to others
To root for the underdog. To improve the impossible.’ I am excited with how well this role aligns with my sense of purpose and values. I can’t wait to get started!”
The Board of Directors plan to have an Open House for Preiss in January to officially welcome her and allow the community a chance to meet her. Details on the event will be available in the new year.
Broene, who has led FROM for over five years, turned in her resignation to the Board of Directors in October and says she plans to take this time to pursue a career in real estate, a long-held passion that she’s put on the back burner for a while now.
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) is a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together individuals, families, churches and businesses to respond to the needs of our neighbors in the greater Lowell community. Organized in 1998 by 13 local churches, FROM is a Christian organization helping our neighbors in need by walking alongside them; helping them improve their quality of life. For more information, visit www.fromlowell.org or call (616) 897-8260.
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