The Skillman Foundation

The Skillman Foundation has named David R. McGhee as associate vice president of organizational excellence & impact, a new role created to support the Foundation’s president & CEO and provide leadership across the organization. McGhee will help to shape and support key initiatives and projects, manage external relationships, and ensure organizational alignment in service of advancing the Foundation’s mission.

McGhee assumed the role of associate vice president of organizational excellence & impact on January 1, 2019. Previously, he served as a program director at the Foundation, responsible for overseeing its Economy and Equity impact areas.

“David McGhee is a committed and effective champion of Detroit children, who has an exceptional knack for compelling others to serve in the best interests of children,” said Tonya Allen, president & CEO of The Skillman Foundation. “His rich experiences and accomplishments as a grantmaker, nonprofit program leader, and congressional liaison all help to inform and advance our efforts to rebuild systems and policies so that our city’s youngest and most disenfranchised citizens receive equitable support and investment.”

Prior to joining The Skillman Foundation in 2014, McGhee served as a program director for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and as a congressional liaison for U.S. Representative Dan Kildee. In 2016, he was selected as a Next City Vanguard, joining a group of 45 top urban innovators making equitable change. In 2017, McGhee took part in Career Pathways, a competitive leadership development program led by the Council on Foundations. He serves on numerous boards, both local and national, including Flint Public Library, Michigan College Access Network, and Learn Fresh Education Company – the parent company of NBA Math Hoops.

McGhee earned an undergraduate degree in public administration & public policy from Oakland University and a master’s degree in leadership from Central Michigan University.

Additional Staff Promotions and Changes

Robert Thornton retired on December 31, 2018. During his 17-year tenure, Thornton led The Skillman Foundation’s safety and My Brother’s Keeper work and was instrumental in the execution of the Good Neighborhoods Initiative, a $120-million initiative that ran from 2006-2016. 

Natalie Fotias was promoted from communications officer to director of communications.

Kumar Raj was promoted from program officer to senior program officer.

Jaime Schubring was promoted from accounting assistant to accounting and technology associate.