Who We Are
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.
A Thriving Community
We envision a fully thriving community where all who live or work in the Holland/Zeeland area equitably experience: physical, mental, and emotional health and safety; financial stability; high quality education; access to opportunities to achieve one’s full potential; and a sense of belonging – are respected, valued, connected and have a voice in community decisions.
Our Values
Excellence is the Standard: We address complex challenges, anticipate needs, work to exceed expectations, and practice continuous improvement in the pursuit of being the best community foundation for the Holland/Zeeland area.
Treat Others How They Would Like to Be Treated: We value the uniqueness of every individual by listening and leading with empathy and being mindful of diverse needs, strengths, and preferences.
Personable Professionalism: We combine expertise and warmth so that individuals and organizations know they can rely on us for trusted guidance and will enjoy working with us.
Positive Vibes: We strive to bring uplifting energy to every interaction and embody the belief that positive change is always possible.
Every Act is Stewardship: We honor the privilege of building and nurturing the relationships that are at the core of our work.
Meet our members
Our Staff
Patrick Cisler
President/CEO
Colleen Hill
Vice President
Rob Arnold
Vice President of Finance
Yadah V. Ramirez
Director of Community Impact
Rachel Shelton
Director of Development
Stacy Timmerman
Director of Scholarships
Sydney Santa Ana
Donor Services and Events Manager
Nathan Willit
Finance and Operations Manager
Ellie Davis
Communications Officer
Ebony Roach
Scholarship Program Officer / College Success Coach
Melissa Urieta
Community Impact Program Officer / College Success Coach
Sara Hemsani
Donor Services and Administrative Assistant
Scott Brooks
Chair
Jasmine Irish
Chair Elect
Tim Hemingway
Secretary
Ed Amaya
Treasurer
Erin Avery Zylman
Past Chair
Jessica Arends
Trustee
Tom Den Herder
Trustee
Sue Franz
Trustee
Olaf Huebner
Trustee
Micki Janssen
Trustee
Melissa Kamara Liggins
Trustee
Jonathan Padnos
Trustee
Jean Ramirez
Trustee
Ann VanZalen
Trustee
Yazlén Ochoa
Youth Trustee
Executive
- Scott Brooks, Chair
- Jasmine Irish, Chair Elect
- Erin Avery Zylman, Past Chair
- Tim Hemingway, Secretary
- Ed Amaya, Treasurer
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
Governance
- Erin Avery Zylman, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Ex-officio
- Tom Den Herder
- Jasmine Irish
- Diane Kooiker
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
Audit
- Jasmine Irish, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Ex-officio
- Sue Franz
- Tim Hemingway
- Jeff Brouwer, community representative
- Doug Rotman, community representative
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
- Rob Arnold, staff support
Investment
- Scott Brooks, Chair
- Tim Hemingway
- Jonathan Padnos
- Ann VanZalen
- Shawn Pacanowski, community representative
- Ilse Saewert, community representative
- PJ Thompson, community representative
- Jim Wiersma, community representative
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
- Rob Arnold, staff support
Distribution
- Jasmine Irish, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Ex-officio
- Ed Amaya
- Sue Franz
- Olaf Huebner
- Virchow Dai, youth representative
- Paul Hillegonds, community representative
- Bill Hoefer, community representative
- Diane Kooiker, community representative
- Phil Perkins, community representative
- Deborah Sterken, community representative
- Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, community representative
- Yadah V. Ramirez, staff support
Program Related Investment
- Tom Den Herder, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Ex-officio
- Ed Amaya
- Ann VanZalen
- Bret Docter, community representative
- Jim Lilly, community representative
- Scott Lubbers, community representative
- Haans Mulder, community representative
- Doug Rotman, community representative
- Matthew Wiebe, advisor
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
Scholarship
- Deborah Sterken, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Ex-officio
- Jasmine Irish
- Kathi Buma, community representative
- James Hagel, community representative
- Diana Hernandez-Garcia, community representative
- Cathy Lebster, community representative
- Jessica Lynch, community representative
- Andrea Mireles, community representative
- Anne Sailers, community representative
- Jennifer Slayton, community representative
- Lisa Smith, community representative
- Pam VanderKamp, community representative
- Stacy Timmerman, staff support
- Ebony Roach, staff support
Promise scholarship selection
- Deborah Sterken, Chair
- Jasmine Irish
- Rodrigo Zavala Cintora, community representative
- Liz Colburn, community representative
- Cathy Lebster, community representative
- Michael Sandoval, community representative
- Stacy Timmerman, staff support
- Ebony Roach, staff support
- Yazlén Ochoa, Chair
- Annica Yin, Chair Elect
- Virchow Dai, Distribution Committee Representative
- Katelyn Witte, Secretary
- Xiomara Alonzo, Treasurer
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Alain Acosta
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Lexi Brooks
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Meredith Cook
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Naomi Crandell
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Brenda Garcia
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Yahir Garcia
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Isabella (Izzy) Gitler
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Lilliana Gitler
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Rachel LaPorte
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Emma Palmateer
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Delaney Ramsdell
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Abbi Rozman
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Taya Schanski
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Evelynn (Evie) Travers
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Brighton Walcott
Our Grants
Our grants are focused on partnering with nonprofits. We monitor the ever-changing needs in our community and respond in ways that take advantage of opportunities to make the greatest difference.
Learn More About GrantsFinancial Management
The prudent investment and management of assets is a primary function of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area’s Board of Directors. Our funds are professionally managed to protect and grow principal while maximizing income.
Learn more About Our finances