Left to right: Joshua Sledge, Erika R. Whitehead and Rebekah Kreckman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2022
CONTACT
Erika R. Whitehead, 269.216.1290
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. -- Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) hired Joshua Sledge as Director of Impact Investment, Rebekah Kreckman as Donor Relations Officer and Erika R. Whitehead as Communications Officer.
Joshua Sledge comes to KZCF from Filene Research Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on strengthening credit unions and amplifying their community impact. Prior to his time there, he worked for Financial Health Network, a national nonprofit on a mission to improve Americans' financial health. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in liberal studies from Northwestern University.
Sledge is a member of the Kalamazoo Investment Committee, which oversees the investment of nearly $2 billion in funds held by local pension funds, KZCF and the Foundation for Excellence. He also serves as a board member for Communities in Schools, Life. Money. You and GreenPath Financial Wellness.
“As a proud Kalamazoo native, I truly believe our community is a special one,” Sledge said. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with such an amazing organization dedicated to making the city a more equitable, prosperous and awesome place to live.”
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Rebekah Kreckman comes to KZCF with history as a researcher, project director and relationship manager. Most recently, Kreckman worked as an independent consultant and guided an organized group of international stakeholders to develop evidence-based health financing policies to increase the equitability and effectiveness of cancer care delivery in several regions around the world. Prior to that, she spent time in Seattle working for Camber Collective, where she predominantly focused on improving multi-stakeholder coordination through coalition building, generating and garnering support for sector-shifting visions, and developing and applying client-tailored impact models to inform the strategic process. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental science from the University of Michigan.
Although Kreckman is new to southwest Michigan, she is glad to be back in her home state. She practices part time as a licensed massage therapist and co-facilitates discussions about diversity, equity and belonging in the massage profession. She thoroughly enjoys learning new skills, editing, hosting game nights with her boyfriend, playing with her dog and spending time outside.
"The opportunity to be directly accountable to my neighbors and fellow community members through my work is not something I take lightly,” Kreckman shared. “As a new member of the KZCF team, I’m grateful to have the chance to grow more familiar with the broader Kalamazoo community, to learn alongside a talented and dedicated team, and to contribute to the county’s transformation toward justice and equity."
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Erika R. Whitehead comes to KZCF from TEN35, a full-service integrated communications agency, where she worked as the content manager overseeing her department's editorial content. Prior to her time there, she worked as a marketing specialist for Vogelzang Law, a personal injury law firm in Chicago. Whitehead holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Howard University and a Master of Arts in communications from Western Michigan University.
Whitehead remains active in the Kalamazoo community through volunteerism. She has volunteered with Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, Ministry with Community, the Family Health Center, the Five Senses Garden, Woods Lake Elementary, the Third Coast Writing Project, the Douglass Community Association and more.
“I said yes to joining KZCF because I was deeply moved and excited about everything the team does for the community,” Whitehead said. “Joining an organization that engages so intentionally with community members presents a wonderful opportunity to help transform lives. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and contributing what I can to the team and our community.”
Learn more about KZCF career opportunities at kalfound.org/About/Careers.
KZCF, established in 1925, has the vision of Kalamazoo County being the most equitable place to live, with the mission to remove barriers through building relationships and connecting resources so people can reach their full potential. Learn more at kalfound.org.
