Cheers to Retirement!
November 17, 2023
As you read in our annual report, The Erie Community Foundation’s (ECF) updated mission is to inspire, engage and empower donors and communities, today and tomorrow, working towards our vision of a united, vibrant, and thriving region for all. We succeed in this work thanks to all of you, our valued donors, fund advisors and professional advisors, and to our talented and committed staff.
As special friends of the Foundation, I wanted to share this news with you before it is announced broadly. At the beginning of the new year, Susannah Weis Frigon will retire as ECF’s Vice President of Philanthropic Services.
As a valued member of the ECF team for more than ten years, Susannah embraces and personifies ECF’s mission. She inspires her team and ECF to excel; she engages ECF’s partners, including our affinity and affiliate funds, authentically and enthusiastically; and she empowers ECF’s impact through thoughtful donor cultivation and stewardship.
Over the years Susannah helped the Foundation build its assets to more than $400 million. More importantly, she garnered the trust and confidence of hundreds of individuals and families. She guided the Erie Women’s Fund, the LGBT Fund advisory board and Young Erie Philanthropists through stages of growth and impact. Finally, Susannah excelled at leading the donor development efforts of ECF’s geographic affiliates: Corry Community Foundation, Findley Lake Community Foundation, North East Community Foundation and Union City Community Foundation resulting in marked growth in their endowments.
As Interim CEO in 2021, Susannah helped navigate the ECF CEO transition. Her leadership helped drive impact, especially as ECF committed to transformational investments for the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum expansion, the creation of Erie’s Investment Playbook and the FIRE Accelerator at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
We are all grateful for Susannah’s dedication, curiosity and grace.
Karen Bilowith