The largesse of Whirlpool Corporation’s Foundation is legendary in Southwest Michigan and communities across the globe that play host to the manufacturing giant’s various facilities and divisions, and today they have added four new trustees to the Whirlpool Foundation Board to set the stage for the future.
The Benton Harbor-based appliance maker revealed today that they have appointed four new trustees to the Whirlpool Foundation Board, including new Board President Michael Todman of St. Joseph.
Through its strategic grants, the Whirlpool Foundation identifies outstanding programs centered on shelter and community vibrancy through education. Since the foundation’s beginning, hundreds of organizations and programs have benefited from more than $225 million in grants.
Whirlpool Corporation CEO and Chairman Marc Bitzer says, “I’m pleased to announce our new Foundation Trustees,” and adds, “The work that this board does is more important now than ever, and furthers our commitment to positive change and maintaining strong, lasting connections with our community.”
The four new Trustees include:
- Michael Todman, retired Whirlpool Vice-Chairman — President of the Foundation
- Pam Klyn, Vice President, Global Product Organization — Volunteer Trustee
- Dani Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer — Volunteer Trustee
- Donald D’anna, Vice President Global Tax — Volunteer Trustee
They join Carey Martin, Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer — Volunteer Trustee; Vice President Bridget Quinn, Associate General Counsel — Volunteer Counsel; and Jennifer Powers, Vice President and Treasurer — Volunteer Treasurer; who are currently on the board.
The Whirlpool Foundation follows a collective impact model and contributes to the social concerns impacting the company’s home communities through grants, volunteerism and leadership. The Foundation will be a main source of funding supporting community projects as part of its recently announced equality pledge.
New Trustee President Michael Todman says, “Part of the focus of the Whirlpool Foundation moving forward is to advance Whirlpool Corporation’s Equality Pledge and founding membership in the OneTen organization,” and adds, “With this pledge and membership, Whirlpool has made a commitment towards driving sustainable positive impact for all current and future Black colleagues, and the communities in which they live.”
The pledge is intended to be a five-year journey with key milestones along the way to assure the company is making progress, and if not, make the needed adjustments to do so. All recipients of Foundation funds will be required to have a similar pledge of their own for consideration of funding.
The Foundation also supports the Sons and Daughters Scholarship program, which recognizes and rewards children of employees for academic and personal achievements, leadership and community involvement. Since the first two scholarships in January of 1952, Whirlpool Foundation has provided more than 2,100 scholarships and honor awards worth more than $17 million dollars. Currently, over 100 scholarship and award recipients are pursuing degrees across the nation.
