Search for CEO underway as well as Fundholder Experience Manager
The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia announced today that President and CEO Randy Redner will be stepping down from his role later this year. As a result, the Community Foundation is looking for the next president/CEO. In addition, they are also hiring for a brand-new position of Fundholder Experience Manager.
“Little did I know in 2020, when I first announced that I would transition out of the Community Foundation, that less than a month later we would be faced with a global crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic,” Randy Redner said. “As the board and I quickly realized how serious this would be, we also realized it was not the time to change leadership, so I committed to leading the Community Foundation for another few years to help our community through this crisis.
“As our community has moved from crisis to recovery, it’s now time for me to make this transition plan a reality. Leading the Community Foundation has been a lot of fun; a great ride. This is a decision I have given a lot of time and thought to – one I did not make lightly. I’m not retiring, just ‘career downsizing’ as I’ve heard some call it! I have total faith in God about what’s coming next and am excited to see where He takes me.”
Randy joined the Community Foundation in May 2015 as executive director. Since then, Randy’s leadership, vision and drive has enabled the Community Foundation to achieve record results. Under Randy’s guidance, the Community Foundation has, in the last five years:
- Granted nearly $50 million, for a total of over $100+ million since 1985
- Welcomed more than 150 new funds since 2017
- Grown assets under management to more than $80 million
- Created a Legacy Society with 30 founding members and future gifts of an estimated $30+ million
- Helped launch community initiatives in four key areas: homelessness, healthcare, early learning and food insecurity
- In response to the pandemic, helped create and fundraise $1.5 million for the Community Foundation’s COVID Relief Fund
- Added more than $2 million to the Good2Give Community Fund, which now stands at over $6 million
- Built an Operating Endowment for the Community Foundation of more than $4 million
- Created the Good2Give Celebration, which has raised over $1 million in the last five years and hosted more than 3,500 event goers
- Expanded education training events, including the annual Nonprofit Academy, attracting more than 5,000 attendees during the last five years.
Due to the Community Foundation’s rapid growth under Randy’s leadership, a fundholder experience manager is now needed to support Director of Fundholder Experience Britt Ramroop’s efforts. This position will oversee a portion of the Community Foundation’s fundholder portfolio under the supervision of Britt. The role will also assist in relationship development initiatives with fundholders and help them grow their fund through the Community Foundation’s “Journey of Generosity” approach.
“Fundholders are the heartbeat of the Community Foundation,” said Britt. “I’m thrilled that as our number of fundholders grows we are able to grow alongside them with the addition of the fundholder experience manager. A “Journey of Generosity” is a very special journey and one that helps to build stronger communities. With this addition to the team we will be able to connect even more people who care with causes that matter.”
After many accomplishments during his 40+ year career, Randy desires to transition to more of a role within the community to support current and emerging young leaders to help them continue to attack the challenging issues. In addition, both he and his wife LaNita look forward to spending a little more time with their children and grandchild.
“The Community Foundation’s team and board of directors has nothing but the highest praise for Randy’s work and leadership during his time here, and everyone would like to have him stay engaged at a certain level,” said Dick LoPresti, board chair of the Community Foundation. “We are working with Randy towards his continued involvement in the Community Foundation and in Gwinnett, whether that is within a consultant, volunteer or coaching role.
“Randy is one of the most effective leaders I have ever known. With a small but dedicated staff, he has transformed the role the Community Foundation plays in addressing the needs in our community. From educating our nonprofit leaders to guiding our fundholders through a ‘Journey of Generosity’ to collaborating with United Way and Gwinnett Coalition and other leaders to address specific community needs, he has had a huge, positive impact on our community.”
Immediate past board chair and current board member Sandra Strickland also has high praise for Randy’s leadership.
“As a board member I have had the opportunity these past six years to serve under one of the greatest leaders in this community,” Sandra said. “As past board chair of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, I cannot even begin to praise him enough. Randy puts God and his family first and then everything else he gives to the Community Foundation’s staff and board. He keeps us moving forward and pulls out the best in us to make things happen for the good of this community. What a difference he has made in my life by encouraging me with his words and wisdom. I am going to miss him saying after our meetings ‘Let’s just go do it!’.”
Prior to joining the Community Foundation in 2015, Randy spent 20 years in the corporate world before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. In 2000, he became the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity North Fulton, leading that organization to national recognition. Then, in 2005, Randy had the opportunity to move to the American Cancer Society. While at ACS Randy was responsible for the largest Relay For Life event in the world, growing the Gwinnett Relay to over $2.7 million. These successes led Randy to be promoted to vice president for Georgia, overseeing all income, mission and advocacy outreach for ACS from 2010 to 2013. In 2013 Randy had the opportunity to move to The United Methodist Children’s Home to help rebuild their fundraising, marketing and communications and volunteer programs.
Randy has always been heavily involved in other organizations and is currently on the board of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Gwinnett Medical Foundation, GCPS Foundation and the Primerica Foundation. He’s also past president of the Duluth Rotary.
A Valdosta State University alumnus, Randy has an MBA from Mercer University. He and his wife LaNita have two grown children, Katie (married to Erik) and Kyle (married to Melissa), and one grandchild, Emsley.
During the next few months, Randy will be working with the Community Foundation’s CEO transition team to ensure a smooth leadership transition. The CEO transition team consists of the following Community Foundation board members:
- Mike Levengood – chair, Law Office of J. Michael Levengood, Community Foundation vice chair
- Dick LoPresti – Community Leader, Community Foundation Board Chair
- Bill McCargo – Community Leader, Community Foundation Board Member
- Kim Hartsock – Warren Averett, Community Foundation Board Member
- Dr. Tommy Welch – Gwinnett County Public Schools, Chief Equity and Compliance Officer
- Scott Jordan – Pinnacle Financial Partners, Community Foundation Board Member
- Wayne Ellison -Ellison Insurance Agency, Community Foundation Board Member
- Judge Ronda Leary – Gwinnett State Court Judge, Community Foundation Board Member
- Scott Phelan – Janney Montgomery Scott, Community Foundation Emeritus Board Member
- Jill Edwards – United Community Bank, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
CFNEG has retained Grant Partners to conduct the CEO search. Interested parties may contact Ryan Grant directly at Ryan@thegrantpartners.com or 404- 395-8148.
Additional information on the open CEO and Fundholder Experience Manager positions can be found at cfneg.org/careers.