DuPage Foundation Welcomes Ginger Wheeler and Alice Wood
Ginger Wheeler Alice Wood, JD
Press Release–August 26, 2020–Downers Grove, IL: DuPage Foundation welcomed Ginger Wheeler as director of communications. Wheeler has an extensive background with more than 20 years in marketing communications having held supporting and leadership roles in a variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations.
DuPage Foundation President & CEO, David M. McGowan, said, “We are delighted to bring Ginger on board to help the Foundation and its initiatives, including Arts DuPage and Bright & Early DuPage, communicate their many benefits to the people in the DuPage County region and beyond. Especially during this unprecedented time, when the people of DuPage County are truly stepping up to help one another through the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund, her background in communications, marketing, advertising and public relations will serve us well.”
Wheeler’s career includes several years with a Chicago-based foundation and trade association where she served as director of marketing communications. Prior, she founded a marketing company where she provided communications services for organizations ranging from established Fortune 100 companies to start up non-profits. Most recently, Ginger has worked with College of DuPage and DuPage County to help start-up businesses grow and prosper in the region.
Wheeler graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a long-time advocate for the East Branch DuPage River Trail which would run through the central part of DuPage County.
The Foundation also welcomed Alice Wood as director of gift planning, effective August 10, 2020. Wood brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation. She is an estate planning attorney, entrepreneur, author and financial literacy instructor. Most recently, Wood ran her own law practice and served as director of business development/estate planning with Ameriprise–NorthStar Wealth Group in Woodridge, IL. Wood has advised more than 1,000 individuals and families over the years in estate planning and administrative matters as well as charitable giving.
Wood said, “My grandfather, the Honorable Win G. Knoch, served as a judge in DuPage County from 1930 until 1953 and was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals by President Eisenhower in 1958. He frequently spoke of his love of DuPage County and called it ‘the garden spot of America and the paradise of the universe.’ He would be so proud to know that I’m following in his footsteps with his love of DuPage County. I am so honored to have the opportunity to promote the work of so many impactful charities through my new role with DuPage Foundation.”
Wood is credited with launching America’s largest financial literacy initiative for the workplace along with VISA and McDonald’s USA and served as an advocate for the financial literacy movement by working with the United States Treasury Department to develop the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. She also worked with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help shape national policy with respect to financial education.
In addition, Wood is a volunteer force throughout the community following in the footsteps of her grandfather, the Honorable Win G. Knoch, about whom she wrote and published an essay and who is memorialized on a community mural in Naperville, IL. Having served in a volunteer capacity as vice chair of DuPage Foundation’s Professional Advisor Committee, Wood has referred many clients to DuPage Foundation to help them accomplish their charitable goals and support the DuPage County community.
Wood’s volunteer work also includes serving as a board member of The Sunrise Rotary Club of Naperville and NCTV-17 in Naperville. She is an incoming member of Naperville’s Loaves & Fishes’ Community Advisory Council. Wood will report to DuPage Foundation VP for Advancement Mike Sitrick, JD, CFRE. “Alice is a perfect fit for the Foundation,” said Sitrick. “She is a proven leader and ‘doer’ with a deep passion for her community and serving others, professionally, and through her exemplary volunteer work. These traits have been a constant from Alice during the past few years as I have worked with her through her service on two Foundation committees. It is a pleasure to now welcome Alice as a full-time member of the staff team. Our donors couldn’t have a more knowledgeable and conscientious partner to assist them in achieving their charitable goals.”
About DuPage Foundation
DuPage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) community foundation, is the philanthropic leader in DuPage County, Illinois. DuPage Foundation manages more than $95 million in assets and has awarded more than $45 million in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond since its founding in 1986. Individuals and organizations seeking to provide impactful support in DuPage County to address critical issues can create powerful customizable gift solutions and partnerships through DuPage Foundation. More at dupagefoundation.org. Doing a world of good in our own backyard.™
