Grand Rapids Community Foundation announces that Danielle R. Brown, CPA is the new vice president and chief financial officer. In this role Danielle will serve on the Community Foundation’s senior leadership team, lead financial strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and analysis and manage accounting procedures, investments, human resources, information systems, and facilities.
Danielle begins this position after four years with the Community Foundation, first serving as director of finance then interim vice president and CFO. As director of finance, she directed all finance and accounting areas of the Community Foundation and has served as a staff member of the Investment Review and Audit committees. During her six-month tenure as interim vice president and CFO, Danielle provided oversight and continuity, ensuring that financial management and investment strategies remained aligned with the Community Foundation’s mission and long-term sustainability.
“We are excited to announce the promotion of Danielle Brown to vice president and CFO,” said LaSandra Gaddy, president and CEO of Grand Rapids Community Foundation. “Throughout her four plus years with the Community Foundation, Danielle has been an exceptional steward of our financial resources and a trusted strategic leader. Danielle is deeply respected by our team, board, and community partners for her integrity, professionalism, and commitment to advancing the Community Foundation’s work. We are confident that her leadership will continue to strengthen our stewardship and impact in the years ahead.”
Danielle began her career in public accounting at Plante Moran. During that time, she worked as an auditor primarily with nonprofit and healthcare organizations. Since, Danielle has held accounting and finance leadership positions with Pilgrim Manor, Family Christian Stores, LLC and Rhoades McKee. Danielle earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Grand Valley State University and has been a licensed CPA in the State of Michigan since 2002. In addition to her work at the Community Foundation, Danielle is committed to serving the community as an usher at Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, the first vice president and membership chair of the Grand Rapids chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and secretary of the board of trustees and member of the finance committee for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
“I am honored and excited to serve the Community Foundation and our whole community in this new role,” said Danielle. “The responsibility of stewarding our communities’ resources is personal to me. I am committed to continuing the work of growing our assets so that we can address the needs of West Michigan, not just today, but for generations to come.”
Danielle was selected after an extensive search conducted by executive search firm AEBetancourt.