Berwick, PA – The Community Giving Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce Kara G. Seesholtz as the Foundation’s third President and CEO, effective October 1, 2022. Current President and CEO, Holly Morrison, announced her retirement in February but will stay on through December to facilitate a smooth transition.
Seesholtz has a long and fruitful relationship with the Foundation. She started in 2004, and has held various positions in grantmaking, communication, and development over her 18 years here. She has served in her current role of Chief Advancement Officer since 2018, where she has proven herself as a passionate visionary and respected community leader. Dedicated to the Foundation’s mission and the trusted relationships she has built with each of the stakeholders she serves on a daily basis, Seesholtz brings a renewed energy of unity and innovation to the partnerships that continue to grow across the region.
“As we began the process of finding our next President and CEO, the Governance Committee knew it would be critical to find a leader who would be able to carry on the mission of this wonderful organization. Our search process led us to Kara, who has dedicated the majority of her career to building relationships and growing the Foundation. Kara has a demonstrated track record of living the values of the Foundation. Through her work, Kara has established a high level of trust in the community and has a strong desire to continue the legacy of those that came before her. Her personality, work ethic, and experience made her the Board’s unanimous choice,” said John Kurelja, Community Giving Foundation Board Vice-Chair and Head of the Search Committee.
Seesholtz is a native to the area, reflected in her commitment to the advancement of the community and well-being of those who call it home. She is a proud alumna of Bloomsburg University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. She resides in Mifflinville with her husband, Kirk, where they raised their two sons, Ky and Koy.
Prior to her many roles at the Foundation, Seesholtz worked in communication roles with Geisinger Health Plan and the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce. She has partnered with many community organizations and boards during her time at the Foundation. Seesholtz is currently a member of the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Board, Leadership Susquehanna Valley Board, Central Columbia Educational Foundation Board, SUSQ-Cyber Charter School Improvement Plan Steering Committee, Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Regional Equity Committee, and Columbia-Montour Council Boy Scouts of America Nomination Committee.
“Through my years at the Foundation, I have enjoyed building and stewarding positive relationships with donors, grantees, agency leaders, staff, boards, committees, and community members across the region. These relationships and our staff’s investment in our mission have been crucial to cultivating the values
that set us apart. I look forward to using my belief in personalized philanthropy and community giving to guide the Foundation’s growth and success in our region,” said Seesholtz.
Over the next six months, Seesholtz and Morrison will work closely together to ensure the transition be transparent and seamless for the entire Foundation family. In partnership with the Board of Directors and Foundation staff, they look forward to opportunities for conversation and relationship-building at one of the many Foundation events planned for this year. For the complete event calendar, visit csgiving.org/events.
The Community Giving Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that develops, manages, and distributes funds for charitable purposes in communities across the Central Susquehanna region. Serving as the region’s philanthropic hub for charitable giving, the Foundation currently houses more than 320 funds and serves five geographic affiliate foundations in Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury. Its regional footprint includes all towns and cities in the Columbia, Lower-Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. For more information about the Community Giving Foundation, visit csgiving.org or call the Foundation at 570-752-3930.
As a 2018 graduate of Leadership Susquehanna Valley, the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce is especially pleased to congratulate Kara on her unanimous selection to this post.
