Diana Champ Davis will lead finance and grants management; Wendy Feliz will lead new Democracy giving area
ATLANTA – August 10, 2022 – The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has appointed Diana Champ Davis as managing director, finance and grants management, and Wendy Feliz as managing director, Democracy and public policy advisor, with Davis starting in August and Feliz in September. Davis joins the Blank Family Foundation from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta where she most recently served as the chief financial officer. Feliz joins from the American Immigration Council where she most recently served as founding director at the Center for Inclusion and Belonging.
In her new role, Davis will lead the strategy and execution of finance and grants management for the foundation. She has 27 years of experience in accounting, finance, and business operations. During her tenure at the Community Foundation, Davis was responsible for the financial and operational components with a focus on the strategic management of the organization’s resources to maximize return on investment. She led special projects to improve operational excellence, transform Board governance and launch an impact investing program.
“I’m excited to join the talented and passionate team at The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation,” said Davis. “I absolutely love positioning organizations to have the strongest and most efficient financial operations and management to enable them best to serve the organization, our communities, and grantees. I look forward to bringing my business, financial and nonprofit experience to contribute to the financial strength of the Blank Family Foundation.”
Within her new role, Feliz will lead the foundation’s new Democracy program area. She has more than 20 years of experience in communications, foundation relations and higher education. In her most recent role at the American Immigration Council, she led fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic communications.
“I am thrilled to be joining The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation as managing director of a new program area that focuses on the future of American democracy,” said Feliz. “Imagining this work from our hub in Atlanta – the cradle of the civil rights movement – will deeply influence and inspire our strategy. The actions we take today to ensure a more pluralistic and democratic future matters for everyone who calls America home and will reverberate for generations.”
Both Davis and Feliz will be members of the foundation’s leadership team, reporting to Blank Family Foundation President Fay Twersky.
“We are pleased to continue our growth by bringing in incredible talent like Diana and Wendy. As we accelerate our giving and build-out strategies for our new giving areas, they both will play an important role in shepherding our resources to best support our community and grantees,” said Twersky. “Their expertise adds greater value to our leadership team, as well as the entire foundation. I’m delighted to have them join us.”
About The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
After more than 25 years and more than $950 million in giving, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is committed to significantly accelerating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years. The foundation is currently on a journey of deeper learning and strategy setting for its new priority areas: Youth Development, Democracy, Environment., Mental Health & Well-Being and Atlanta’s Westside. Additionally, the foundation oversees a large portfolio of enduring founder-led initiatives.
Geographically, much of the work will continue to prioritize Georgia (with a focus on Atlanta) and Montana, while also considering the potential for greater national impact and influence.
Mr. Blank, chairman of the foundation, co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001.
For more information and to stay up to date, visit blankfoundation.org.
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