Women's Foundation Announces Leadership Transition

The Women's Foundation of Minnesota, Minneapolis, has announced a change in its top leadership as part of an overall redesign of its management structure. Effective June 1, 2004, Lee Roper-Batker, the foundation's current vice president, will assume the responsibilities of president & CEO, overseeing annual programs, financial management, organizational development, staff leadership, asset building, strategic planning and communications. Current president Jane Ransom will become the foundation's new vice president of strategic initiatives, working both on- and off-site on the foundation's endowment campaign, asset building and annual communications.

According to Ransom, the leadership change is in response to the foundation's new strategic emphasis on building its endowment, as well as to her own personal and professional development needs. The new staff structure will keep the foundation's staff leadership intact for its upcoming endowment campaign, and also will meet Ransom's personal needs to balance work and family life.

"I am excited about the board's decision, which, in keeping with the tradition of the Women's Foundation, is both feminist and fiscally responsible," Ransom said. "Lee and I have worked together for three years and I have complete confidence in and enthusiasm for her leadership, creativity and accountability. We share the essential talents and backgrounds that both positions demand in terms of strategic nonprofit leadership, fundraising and community leadership on women's issues."

The foundation's staff restructuring also includes the addition of two new positions - an executive assistant and a director of program and development - to help strengthen the foundation's staff skills and capacities for grantmaking, fundraising, research and education.

"The Women's Foundation of Minnesota has enjoyed four years of shared vision, significant growth and low staff turnover," said Ransom. "We are confident that our new management structure with workplace flexibility can - and will - capitalize on staff members' existing strengths and create an even more effective organization."

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