Hello! My name is Carolyn Desrosiers and I am thrilled to serve as the newest community engagement manager here at the Community Foundation. I am a week into the job and am learning so much about the astounding impact of the Community Foundation. The more I learn, the more excited I am to roll up my sleeves and get to work!

I’m a bit of hometown girl – I grew up in Appleton, stayed here for school and am now re-discovering all that this community has to offer as a young professional.

Since childhood, I have been drawn to the fulfilling work of helping people in need. I credit this inclination to my mom, who consistently modeled service in everything she did and who taught my siblings and me to open our hearts to others, including those who were different from us.

My capacity for empathy was strengthened by my study of art and music. I pursued Cello Performance and Theater Arts at Lawrence University and, during summer and winter breaks, I traveled to Haiti to volunteer-teach music with Prof. Janet Anthony.

EvaSophia

After graduating, I went on to lead the arts, music and conversation programs for Harmony Café (a program of Goodwill NCW) where I was exposed to diverse community issues and worked closely with other nonprofit leaders. When the café closed in 2014, I had the opportunity to work in development for Goodwill NCW.

I am looking forward to connecting nonprofit leaders to resources from the Foundation’s unrestricted grant programs and providing support to the Mielke Family Foundation and our regional affiliate foundations. Being a part of a team focused on sustaining and improving the quality of life in the Fox Valley is really a privilege.

As I take on this new role, I’m simultaneously taking on an even greater new challenge … parenthood! My husband, Skander, and I welcomed our daughter, EvaSophia, just before Thanksgiving. Her smiles bring us joy and hope, and fuel our passion to make our little corner of the world a better place.

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