KATHLEEN WALGREN:
 
KATHLEEN WALGREN




 
 
 
 
 
Executive Director, THAW (The Heat and Warmth Fund) in Detroit. Walgren became the first THAW employee in 1989. THAW is a statewide, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing human suffering by providing low-income people with energy assistance. Since 1986, THAW has provided $49.3 million in assistance to more than 106,600 Michigan residents. She has served on the board of directors of the National Fuel Funds Network and as a board member of the National Low-Income Energy Assistance Consortium. She is a co-founder of the “Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm.” A graduate of Michigan State University, she has completed the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program, Leadership Michigan, and, recently, Menttium 100, a cross-company mentoring program for women working in the nonprofit sector.


WHERE BORN: "Grand Rapids, Michigan. My dad was in the service so I really grew up all over the world, but I call Michigan home."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "The person who started this organization, Terry Triber. She died of breast cancer a couple of years ago. She started this as a volunteer and saw a need in the community. She was a social entrepreneur, a great motivator and mentor for me when I first started."

LAST BOOK READ: "The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Enthusiastic, motivated, fun."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "Unfortunately, we see a growing need. The organization has to keep up with the latest technology and solutions to manage a growing need. That means technology in terms of process, taking and paying applications for assistance, Web technology, and innovative new ways to raise money. We need to stay in sync with the technology improvements in fund raising and dispersing."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "Handheld Clie by Sony. I use that a lot."

FAVORITE PLACE: "My garden."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Reading."

FAVORITE FOOD: "I like just about everything – from ethnic to meat and potatoes."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "Singing."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "As somebody who really made a difference in the lives of people who needed help."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.