Congratulations on Your Retirement!

MARILYN ZACK VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

“My career at the Community Foundation has provided me the opportunity to understand the community I live in and get to know and develop relationships with people who are at their core, are very generous,” says Marilyn Zack after 24 years with Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

Marilyn has led the Community Foundation’s Development department in fundraising efforts. She is proud that during her tenure she has “been part of a development team that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars.” She has advocated for new avenues for donor partners to support social justice in our greater community, emphasizing that she is very proud of her part in establishing Our LGBTQ Fund and the 100 New Philanthropists campaign as part of the Community Foundation’s centennial celebration. “[Our donor partners] surprise me every day with regard to the gifts that they make and what it is they want to accomplish with them.”

We appreciate the lasting mark Marilyn has left on our community. In her retirement, Marilyn shares she will miss the people she has developed such close relationships with – both staff and donor partners – and looks forward to being spontaneous with new-found free time.

STAN VANDER ROEST VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

When asked what he’s learned about leadership in his career and 10 years with Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Stan Vander Roest humbly replied, “I can only be an effective leader with a great team behind me . . . I am so inspired by my team every day.”

Since 2015, Stan has been instrumental in the financial position of the Community Foundation as vice president and chief financial officer. After working in for-profit finance for the majority of his career, he came to the Community Foundation as its first chief financial officer ready to make an impact. Stan has worked to further our mission to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment. Through his leadership and with the Investment Review Committee, the Community Foundation has seen a $170 million return on investments during his tenure, allowing us to continue supporting the community for years to come.

We are grateful for the direction Stan gave to the Community Foundation. In his retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his children, picking up past hobbies and traveling. Stan will continue his impact through his involvement with several nonprofits and his church.