Donald MacKenzie has been named Grand Rapids Community College’s new associate vice president for Advancement and executive director for the GRCC Foundation. MacKenzie, a senior principal with Chicago-based Panas, Linzy & Partners and an adjunct professor at Kendal College, said he plans to work to build strong relationships with donors and alumni when he begins leading GRCC’s 50-year-old foundation.
“I’m excited to join the GRCC Foundation and help it support the college’s mission of equipping students to meet the needs of the community and the world,” he stated in a news release.
For MacKenzie, of Rockford, his bachelor’s degree in college student personal and a master’s degree in education leadership has led him to this career. His background includes the work for a national firm for the last three years raising funds around the country for hospitals, museums, schools and other organizations. While doing so, MacKenzie served as campaign director of the “For Our Kids Campaign,” which raised $100 million for the pediatric hospital
He has also worked as an executive director of Junior Achievement of Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties and director of Planned and Estate Giving for the Western Michigan University Foundation.
MacKenzie said, the decision to change pace and work with GRCC was easy, because he would rather work in a community to better the education in one area, with his wife and two children.
“I have a passion for seeing organizations that are trying to raise money, then helping them exceed any limit they thought possible,” he said.
MacKenzie has many goals for GRCC. He said he hopes to make sure people are aware of GRCC and hold a good opinion of the college. Also, he is excited to start with the staff and work with President Steven Ender, who he said has also done great things for the foundation, while building strong relations with alumni and donors.
Grand Rapids Community College was established in 1914, and with the 100th year approaching, MacKenzie said he plans to really work with the community to raise funds for education.
