4 minute read
Her Heart on One Sleeve, Her Conviction on the Other
A self-described “shy child” from Detroit. A young woman who became the first full-time leader of a growing organization in the 1980s. In more than 36 years as Grand Rapids Community Foundation president, Diana R. Sieger has become a Grand Rapids vanguard and a national voice in the philanthropic sector. Asked to describe the Community Foundation in one word, Diana answers: “Dynamic.” Those who know her well describe her as “passionate…a warrior...fabulous.” As she looks toward retirement, Diana and other leaders reflected on her impact.
LEADING AUTHENTICALLY, WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Diana said she was deeply affected by growing up in suburban Detroit during tumultuous social change and racial uprisings in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. “I always knew my work would be in the social sector. The roots of what I do each and every day really come from what I observed as a young person during my developmental years,” Diana said. She moved to West Michigan to attend Western Michigan University, where she received an MSW. She began her career at the American Red Cross and then worked nine years at United Way of Kent County.
In 1987 she became the Community Foundation’s first full-time leader. Some community leaders pressured her to defer or wait her turn. Diana learned to show up authentically and hold her ground in a time when it wasn’t common or comfortable for a young woman.
As a member of her team, I love Diana’s authenticity and passion. She’s so comfortable with who she is. She has faced challenges in her career and earned that confidence,” said Ashley René Lee, vice president of strategic communications. “Her confidence isn’t without humility, though. Diana is clear about where her strengths lie and where others should fill in gaps. It takes a strong leader to invite others’ perspectives and be willing to learn.
A POWERFUL VOICE FOR CHANGE, LOCALLY AND BEYOND
“I have always loved Grand Rapids’ community spirit. People really do want to come together and get things done,” Diana said. “I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true—if you really want to effect change, you can’t do it alone.”
Modeling that perspective in her role and networks helped Diana grow the Community Foundation. She advocates for listening to understand, invites new partnerships and respects dissenting opinions to better understand the scope of necessary changes. Her openness to tough conversations and establishing partnerships show that the Community Foundation is “in it for the long haul.”
During her years in local broadcast news, Eva Aguirre Cooper became a Community Foundation volunteer partner and Trustee. She reflected on how, early on, Diana made her feel welcome.
She invited me to participate as a new community member and showed me that my voice matters,” Eva said. “She helped me feel that I belong where these decisions are being made. That trust grew into a deep connection and genuine relationship. Diana is a warrior who wears her heart on one sleeve, her conviction on the other.
Diana’s focus on partnerships has made a lasting impact in West Michigan and beyond. When she began as Community Foundation president, Michigan had only 10 community foundations; now there are 157. Diana became a voice who encouraged that progress is possible, change can be made and investing in the future is well worth the effort.
Rob Collier, a longtime industry peer, said,
Certainly, her work has transformed Grand Rapids Community Foundation. She also made an impact in the sector in Michigan and nationwide. From the development of youth advisory committees, to shaping the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison position to developing national standards for community foundations, Diana has been a fabulous sparkplug and champion.
A LEGACY TO CARRY INTO THE FUTURE
Under Diana’s leadership, the Community Foundation has grown its financial assets tenfold and its staff from three to 30-plus. Its governance changed to a board appointed model. Trustees created new opportunities for community input and leadership in grantmaking. Formalizing its North Star committed the Community Foundation to racial, social and economic justice.
According to Diana, one thing that has stayed the same is the organization’s spirit. “We learn, admit mistakes, move on and keep a sense of humor,” she said. Grand Rapids Community Foundation—because of Diana’s decades of leadership and countless partners who have invested in it—is a dynamic organization committed to positive change in Kent County.
I didn’t realize when I announced my intention to retire that watching it approach from the horizon would have such an impact on me,” Diana said. “But I am looking forward to the future of this Community Foundation. It’s going to be wonderful.
Written by A.H.S.
At our Celebration of Philanthropy event we honored Diana for her 36 years of service and leadership. Diana will retire near the end of this year. Watch a video highlighting Diana.
