The Martin County Community Foundation (MCCF), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy in Martin County, recently announced the appointment of a new executive director and board leadership. Jillian C. Vukusich, CAP®, has been named executive director of MCCF. Prior to MCCF, Ms. Vukusich was the Vice President for Community Investment at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties where she provided leadership in the design and implementation of the Foundation’s grantmaking and scholarship activities. Throughout her tenure, she was instrumental in developing funder and nonprofit collaborative efforts that focused on leveraging resources to create greater community impact. She also worked closely with the donor services staff to align and cultivate interest among current and prospective donors with opportunities for giving.

Ms. Vukusich has been a member of the Community Advisory Panel for the Children’s Services Council of Martin County since 2008 and is currently serving on the 2015 State Summit Planning Committee for Florida Philanthropic Network. She is a 2007 alumnus of the Hull Fellows Program through the Southeastern Council of Foundations, the nation’s leading professional development program for philanthropy’s up-and-coming leaders.

Ms. Vukusich previously served as a member of the Council on Foundation’s Next Generation Task Force. Ms. Vukusich is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, an American College designation which gives professionals the broad knowledge and skills to help clients and prospective donors reach financial and philanthropic goals. She holds a Master of Arts in Arts Management from American University in Washington, D.C., with distinction in the areas of Audience Development and Fundraising, and a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.
Kenneth Norman, incoming MCCF Board Chair, says, “Jillian has a track record of proven success, along with a strong work ethic and family values,
which will enable the Martin County Community Foundation to shine in its mission to assist philanthropic donors and to serve the needs of Martin County.”

At the Foundation’s June Board meeting, the Board recognized outgoing chairman, William C. Fowler, president of JS Capital Management, for his  committed and longstanding service to the Community Foundation. The board unanimously elected Kenneth Norman to serve as incoming Chair with Nancy Crowder McCoy as Vice Chair. Joe Paskoski will serve as Treasurer and Harry Pelton will serve as Secretary. The board also welcomed Bridget Baratta,  Michael Kelly, and Scott Wade.

  • Bridget Baratta joins MCCF’s board following a decade of service as the organization’s executive director. She recently joined Oxbridge Academy, in West Palm Beach, as the Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships. Ms. Baratta serves on the advisory board of The Lyric Theater and The Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida.
  • Nancy Crowder – McCoy, CPA, Vice Chair, is a shareholder at Proctor, Crook & Crowder, P.A. and has over thirty years experience in public accounting. She has served as a board member, treasurer and volunteer for several local organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martin County, Martin Memorial Foundation Community Council, Stuart Main Street Association and the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
  • Michael A. Kelly runs his private family office hedge fund and has had a long career as a chief investment officer running billions of dollars as a fiduciary. Until recently he served on the Investment Committee of the Greater Houston Community Foundation and as a board member of the Catholic Endowment of Houston. He presently serves as a trustee and board member for two faith based charitable organizations.
  • Kenneth Norman, Esq., Chair, is a partner with McCarthy, Summers, Bobko, Wood, Norman, Bass & Melby, P.A. His areas of practice include, but are not limited to, estate planning, business law , finance and estate administration . Mr. Norman has served on several local boards including service as chairman of the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Board of Martin County.
  • Joe Paskoski, CPA, Treasurer, is the chief financial officer of the Quantum Foundation, the largest Palm Beach County-based health funder with over $150 million in assets under management. Mr. Paskoski boasts a wealth of accounting and auditing experience in the private and nonprofit industries.
  • Harry Pelton, Secretary, is a community volunteer who has served on the Boards of The 4C’s, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast and Tykes and Teens. Following his illustrious career as a vice president and trust officer in the banking industry, Mr. Pelton
    has committed his time and effort to improving our local community.
  • W. Scott Wade is the chief operating officer of Keller Medical. He has a diverse background in the private sector industry and has served on several local boards including Gertrude Walden Childcare Center and Seacoast Bank Community Board. “This is an incredibly exciting time for the Martin County Community Foundation,” comments Jillian Vukusich, executive director. “The Board is truly focused on providing excellent
    philanthropic advisory services and improving our local communities. As we continue to grow, I look forward to meeting the many families, individuals and financial advisors in Martin County who have a passion for giving back.”

The Martin County Community Foundation was established in 1988. We work with philanthropically inclined individuals and organizations to improve communities. In doing our work we serve as a convener of community leaders, identify social issues in need of philanthropic support and work to bring about effective and positive change. For more information, visit www.thecommunityfoundationmartinstlucie.org
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