The Lake County Community Foundation today announced Jon H. Teeuwissen as the Foundation’s new executive director. Teeuwissen joins the Foundation with expansive leadership and management experience, as well as a strong commitment to the Lake County community. During his 35 plus years in the nonprofit sector, he has held senior management positions with such prestigious organizations as American Ballet Theatre (New York) and the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Teeuwissen is widely credited for three financial turnarounds: the New Orleans Ballet Association, Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. A significant piece of his strategy for success has been a commitment to community engagement and the creation of task forces to engage and empower specific demographics.
As executive director of the New Orleans Ballet Association, Teeuwissen launched a partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Department that offers free dance training to inner city youth. As executive director of The Joffrey from 2001-2008, Teeuwissen significantly expanded education outreach efforts and after-school programs. Most recently, as president and CEO of the California Center for the Arts (North San Diego County), he created new partnerships and collaborations with a particular focus on community involvement and outreach to the local Hispanic population.
“Jon has a proven track record of adapting and enhancing programs to meet the needs of diverse communities, and we look forward to his leadership in Lake County,” said Anne W. Reusché, chair of The Lake County Community Foundation Board. “His history of moving organizations from good to great truly makes him the leader who meets the Foundation’s aspirations for the future.”
“Lake County is where I live it’s my community, where I’m invested,” said Teeuwissen. “I look forward to connecting with the Foundation’s many grant recipients, donors and partners, and collaborating to make the region stronger.”
Since its founding in 2003, The Lake County Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, has contributed more than $2.5 million to 80 nonprofit organizations that support basic human needs, community development, education and health throughout the county. Teeuwissen will provide critical oversight and strategy as the Foundation addresses its top priority to build its asset base for accelerated grant making.
Teeuwissen, a resident of Highland Park, received both a Master’s of Science in Management and a Certificate in Public Management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and his Board of Regent’s degree from West Virginia State University. His civic engagements include serving on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park.
“The region is tremendously fortunate to have someone of Jon’s caliber assume such an important role,” said Terry Mazany, president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. “We look forward to collaborating with Jon and his team to continue the work of building a community foundation that is highly responsive to the needs of Lake County.”
About The Lake County Community Foundation
Since 2003, The Lake County Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, has partnered with donors to leverage and guide their philanthropy to help transform the lives of the most vulnerable people across our county. Together, we have contributed more than $2.5 million to 80 nonprofit organizations that support basic human needs, community development, education and health throughout Lake County. By connecting the generosity of donors across Lake County with the most pressing needs of the community, we ensure that our county thrives today and for generations to come.