Spotlights
Danielle Josephine DeWitt '05 & '09
Employer
Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan/Helen DeVos Children's
Hospital Foundation // TITLE: Lead Foundation Specialist for Donor
Relations and Stewardship
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejosephinedewitt/
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
I completed my B.S. in Psychology in 2009, which was my second
Bachelor's degree. While working on that degree I began working in the
University Development Office at GVSU and found my true
passion--philanthropy. More specifically, the gratitude part of
philanthropy. After graduation, I worked in the VP for University
Development's office for 6 months, then began a job as a Grant Writer
to finish out the "Shaping Our Future" Comprehensive
Campaign. When the campaign was over, the university created a
position for Donor Relations and Stewardship, and I filled that role
for 4 years. In 2016, I left GVSU for a similar role at Spectrum
Health (now Corewell Health) and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. It
is my honor and privilege to share the impact of philanthropy with our
generous donors and create unique and joy-filled experiences to
celebrate their giving. In addition to my role at Corewell Health
Foundation West Michigan and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Foundation, I have found several ways to engage with my community and
alma mater. I am currently president-elect of the GVSU Alumni
Association Board of Directors; a member of the GVSU Master of Health
Administration Industry Advisory Council; a GVSU Cook Leadership
Academy mentor; a member of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids' Annual
Essay Competition Committee; and am co-event director of the Get Your
Rear in Gear Grand Rapids, a 5K walk/run event of the Colon Cancer
Coalition, raising money for colorectal cancer awareness and education
in our community.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
The first memory that comes to mind is one that took place long
after graduation. On November 15, 2019 I sat in the GVSU Fieldhouse
Arena and watched the university officially welcome its first-ever
female president, Philomena Mantella. It was a new chapter for the
university I love so much and it has been exciting to see the energy
and transformation she has brought to GVSU with her leadership.
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Be curious." These two words came to me from one of my
mentors, and truly one of the best examples of curiosity I know, Tina
Freese Decker. Curiosity is important in all facets of life--family,
friends, and our workplaces. Ask the question. Learn the new thing.
Invite that person you admire to coffee and be curious about how they
got to where they are today. Never stop learning about members of your
family and their lives. Ask how you can help. You never know what the
answer might be and where it might take you. But if you don't ask the
question, don't invite that person to coffee, don't learn the new
thing...life will probably not be as interesting or exciting!
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Enriching, educational and challenging (in all the good ways!)
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
One of my passions is mental health and finding ways to support
others in their quest to improve their own mental health. I have been
fairly open with my own story and someday I hope that I can share it
in a broader sense through writing a book that could be used for
adults or translated into a children's book to share the message
"it's OK to not be OK." I know I'm not a celebrity and do
not have a large platform, but I feel strongly that by sharing our
stories--in any way--can give others permission to do the same. I want
to contribute to making mental health care easier to access--both
through increased availability but also decreased cost to the
individual. I want to see a world where if someone wants help, they
can get it without fear of stigma, without having to wait months and
months to get an appointment, and without having to wait because of
the exorbitant cost. A world where our mental health is treated
equally as important to our well-being as our physical health.
October 2024
Interest Area(s)
Psychology, Health Administration
Categories
West Michigan
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