The Executive Committee of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has appointed Lynne Ferrell as interim CEO. This decision comes after the organization’s previous announcement in November regarding the resignation of Dawne Bell, the current CEO of ECIC, who will be stepping down from ECIC in January 2024 to take on a new role as the Vice President of Youth Development at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.
“Lynne Ferrell is an extraordinary leader with a strong track record of improving equitable outcomes for young children,” said Jana Dean, ECIC Executive Committee Chair. “ECIC is honored to have Lynne at the helm during this interim period.”
Lynne recently concluded her tenure as Program Director at the esteemed Frey Foundation, one of Michigan’s most prominent family foundations. Before joining the Frey Foundation, Lynne worked as a strategic planning consultant at the Greystone Companies in Grand Rapids and Washington DC. Prior to, she held the position of Vice President for Small Business at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Lynne is also a veteran of the United States Army and has served on a number of community boards including the Interurban Transit Partnership, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) . She was named the 2019 recipient of the Dr. Gerald K. Smith Award for Philanthropy by the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy – an award that honors the work and grantmaking activities promoting social change in communities of color.
“I am delighted to bridge the leadership transition of ECIC,” said interim CEO Lynne Ferrell. “ECIC is an organization that I have long admired for its passionate commitment to improving the lives of Michigan’s youngest children.”
The ECIC board has also formed a Search Committee, which is tasked with selecting the next CEO, whose appointment will be approved after a full vote by the Executive Committee. ECIC is partnering with HR Collaborative to conduct this search. Learn more about the search for the next ECIC CEO here: ecic4kids.org/careers.
Created in 2005 to serve as a statewide leader in early childhood, ECIC collaborates to increase public and private investment in the earliest years, elevate issues affecting young children and their families, and continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system. Our vision is to create a future where all young children in Michigan and their families thrive.