A letter to the TAG community from José Aron-Diaz, TAG Board of Directors President.
Dear TAG members,
As we close out 2024, we celebrate a remarkable first year under the leadership of our new Executive Director, Jean Westrick. Jean’s vision and dedication have brought fresh energy and focus to TAG, setting the stage for an exciting future. The momentum from TAGlocals continues to reverberate across our community, fostering deeper connections and collaboration.
Additionally, the surge in interest and demand for conversations around AI has positioned TAG as a key resource, culminating in several successful AI roadshows that we’ve proudly led or co-led. Building on this dynamic transition and the incredible energy from 2024, we’re thrilled to share our plans for 2025.
Here’s how we aim to grow and strengthen our impact in the year ahead:
New Committees Approved
The board met and voted unanimously to pass a resolution to create five new board committees – Audit, Governance, Development, Finance, and Programs, chaired by the following current board members:
- Audit Committee – Chaired by Wendye Mingo, The Kresge Foundation
- Development Committee – Chaired by Carlos Velez, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
- Governance Committee – Chaired by Katie Niemann, Houston Endowment
- Finance Committee – Chaired by Kris LeCorgne, Bezos Earth Fund
- Programs Committee – Chaired by Ari Kramer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
We are looking for members who would like to serve on the Development, Finance, and Program committees in 2025. Committees will meet quarterly and provide invaluable contributions to the mission of TAG.
Board of Directors Expanding
In addition to the new Board Committees, the TAG Board of Directors will expand to 15 members in 2025. These changes to our governance will serve to advance TAG’s mission, strengthen our member community, enhance programming offerings, and deepen the impact of the network.
If you enjoy collaborating with fellow TAG members or if you have always wanted to serve on a board or committee, I encourage you to submit an application for consideration.
New Secretary Confirmed and Terms Ending
- Ann Puckett of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation is stepping down from her post as Secretary and will be replaced by Katie Niemann of the Houston Endowment. Ann will remain on the board of directors.
- Chad Berg’s term as a member of the board will conclude this year; he will be invited to serve as an Emeritus Member for 2025.
- Rob Rosenthal who served on the TAG Board from 2018-2023, will be retiring from Carnegie Corporation of New York at the close of this year and will also be vacating his post as an Emeritus Member.
We thank these members for their service.
As the president of TAG’s board of directors, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your active engagement and dedication to our vibrant TAG community. Your participation and support have been instrumental in driving our mission forward. As we navigate a time of significant organizational evolution, we are embracing a thoughtful “crawl, walk, run” approach to ensure sustainable growth and impactful change.
For those looking to deepen their involvement, we invite you to consider joining a committee or applying for a board position—an invaluable opportunity to give back and help shape TAG’s future. Together, let us continue this exciting journey, building on our collective progress and innovation.
Applications for the Board of Directors and Board Committees are due by December 5, 2024. Please apply here.
Thank you for being an essential part of TAG’s ongoing evolution.
Sincerely,
TAG Board of Directors President
Director of Information Technology, Bezos Earth Fund