Introducing new leaders

Introducing new leaders at Davenport University

As Davenport gears up for a new academic year, we’re excited to introduce three new leaders who bring impressive experience and expertise to the university.

Latoya Booker

Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Latoya Booker joined Davenport in February as the university’s new executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion. With more than 15 years of experience, she has a tremendous track record of working with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to advance diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Booker, who is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of developing and maintaining strong frameworks to support such initiatives, will continue to advance the university’s work in these areas.

Most recently, Booker served in the nonprofi t sector as executive director of the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance in Holland, Mich. Other previous positions in which Booker has served include director for diversity and inclusion at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, assistant director of the Offi ce of Multicultural Education at Hope College in Holland, classroom instructor for the TRiO/Upward Bound program at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, and manager for the Preparing Raciallydiverse Educators Program (PREP) at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

“Today more than ever, there’s widespread awareness of the necessity to educate students within a global context. This includes the inequities that exist for marginalized populations across all sectors,” said Booker. “I’m honored to be leading Davenport’s eff orts to help create a learning environment that prepares our students for success, and equips all our students, staff and faculty to engage equity as a way of being and leading in the world.”

As a Leadership Grand Rapids alum (2017), Booker has served as a community trustee committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion; she is a former board member of Camp Blodgett and the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance. Her accolades include being awarded the Outstanding Aquinas Woman Award by Aquinas College in 2014, where she led diversity initiatives across campus for five years, which included leading support programs and services for underrepresented students.

Booker earned a Master of Education in college student aff airs leadership and a bachelor’s in secondary education from Grand Valley State University. She also holds a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Aquinas College.

Whitney Enge

Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement

already known in the West Michigan community is Ana Doonan, who joined the university in January as executive director of development. Doonan has led several Grand Rapids nonprofits including Safe Haven Ministries and LINC Community Revitalization, Inc. through successful multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, community development investments and revitalization initiatives. In 2017, she was named the lead fundraiser for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas after contributing signifi cantly to a $130 million comprehensive capital campaign. W hitney Enge, who joined Davenport in January as director of alumni and donor engagement, brings a solid track record of experience in driving high-impact and innovative fundraising strategies, corporate sponsorship and community partnerships in West Michigan.

As the senior community development manager at the American Cancer Society (ACS), Greater Grand Rapids Area, she garnered more than five years of engagement and marketing experience, specifi cally within campus communities. By facilitating the growth of numerous large-scale collegiate events, building relationships within the Grand Rapids community and directing fundraising events such as ACS’s Farm to Table Dinner, she raised more than $1.5 million for the organization through her fundraising portfolio. “I believe that the biggest footprint we can leave in this world is what we do to make the lives of others better and fruitful,” said Doonan. “I’m thrilled to be back in Michigan and helping Davenport build relationships and increase the support for our incredibly generous philanthropic community. Together, we can continue to advance Davenport’s mission and legacy of innovation and excellence and ensure that our students don’t miss a step when it comes to their future.” Doonan holds a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in political science from Central Michigan University. She also earned an international diploma in municipal management from Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, Venezuela. Her career also includes a position with the American Cancer Society in Tucson, Ariz., after serving as a certifi ed nursing assistant at Altercare of Big Rapids, Mich., and Portage Health.

“I’m excited to be leading the charge in providing meaningful engagement with Davenport’s alumni community, optimizing our eff orts and raising visibility of the university’s mission, successes and needs,” said Enge. “Our alumni play such a vital role in our communities, our country and throughout the world. As our supportive ambassadors, they help make it possible to achieve the standards of excellence that make Davenport such a special place.”

A graduate of Ferris State University with a degree in business administration, Enge also studied photography at Grand

Another new face at Davenport who’s

Rapids Community College.