This past month the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) kicked off its new fiscal year. And with it came all types of developments.
Since February’s announcement that VNA President/CEO Katherine Krause, who has led the program since 2013, would be retiring, a search got underway to find her successor.
It was just announced that such a find was right on the front door. VNA Chief Strategy and Development VP Chris Culak “will assume the role on Monday, September 1.”
During Katherine’s tenure, the VNA had experienced a 65% increase in delivered meals to food-insecure seniors as well as more than 20% growth in hospice services for patients.
According to VNA Board Chair Kevin Eden, “The VNA Board of Directors would like to congratulate and thank Katherine for 15 years of dedicated service and for leading the organization for the past 12 years as CEO. Though Katherine would be the first to say that VNA’s impact is the result of dozens of community partnerships, hundreds of employees, and thousands of volunteers (all true), we want to recognize her leadership in leveraging our collective efforts to have the greatest impact for those we serve.”
Having spent the past decade being a part of VNA, Chris “has led the transformation of the development department to become a fundraising powerhouse, raising the profile of VNA in our community. In the past year, he and his team raised more than $10 million in support of VNA programs.”
Over time, Chris has taken on increasing responsibility, including leading the strategic plan vision for the organization and overseeing and expanding the VNA’s Meals on Wheels program.
Kevin added, “Chris is a tremendous leader and has demonstrated a passion for serving others throughout his career. He is the perfect person to lead this next chapter of VNA’s story; a story with humble beginnings over ninety years ago, to a dynamic institution serving more than 7,500 senior clients, seriously ill patients, and their families across sixteen counties each day. Chris will embody the organization’s core values, carry forward the best of Katherine’s tenure, and continue to expand the mission and reach of VNA.”
In addition to leadership succession taking place, these seven new board members have been added:
- Jason Bender
- Margaret Buckley
- Ana Katherine Curry, MD
- Nicolette Lamont
- David Oman
- James (Jamey) M. Peters
- Stephanie Staubach Phillips