The Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) has appointed Shawna Walraven as its new President and CEO, following a unanimous decision by the Board of Trustees. Walraven will officially take over the role on October 7, 2024, succeeding Diane Mahoney, who is stepping down after seven years to join her husband in Frankfort, Michigan. Mahoney’s last day will be September 24.
“We are very excited to have Shawna Walraven join us as President & CEO. Her experience, skill set, and passion for Bay City will push us to the next level,” said BACF Board Chair Danielle Krupp. “The fact that she is a Bay City native gives her a leg up in understanding the needs of the community. She was unanimously chosen, and we couldn’t be happier.”
Walraven, a Garber High School graduate, holds a finance degree from DePaul University and a juris doctorate from St. Louis University. She has served the County of Bay in multiple capacities, including finance director, treasurer, and assistant corporate counsel. Walraven has been a longtime supporter of the BACF through her volunteer work on its Grants and Standing Scholarship committees, as well as with the United Way of Bay County.
“I am honored to accept the role of President & CEO for the Bay Area Community Foundation,” Walraven said. “The magnitude of the position and the organization is not lost on me. I look forward to working with the staff and volunteers to continue the important work of the Foundation.”
Under Mahoney’s leadership since 2017, the Foundation experienced significant growth, with assets increasing by 43%, from $42 million to $60 million. During her tenure, $15.7 million was invested back into the community through grants and scholarships, including over $1 million in ARPA grants in collaboration with the County of Bay.
“Diane Mahoney has been instrumental in the Foundation’s success,” Krupp noted. “Her efforts in growing the Foundation and strengthening donor relationships have had a lasting impact on Bay and Arenac counties. We are grateful for her service and wish her and her husband, Gerard, all the best.”
The Bay Area Community Foundation serves Bay and Arenac counties, helping address critical community needs while fostering opportunities for growth and development.
