Owen County Community Foundation Selects Janet Rummel as Incoming President
Janet Rummel has been selected by the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) board of directors as the new president and CEO of the local charity. A nine-year resident of Owen County and currently the director of community initiatives at the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement, Rummel will become the third executive to lead the OCCF in its 26 year history. Janet will begin her tenure with the OCCF in mid-September.
OCCF board chair David Friedel speaking for the board of directors said, “We are excited to welcome Janet to join our already talented staff. Having someone as capable as Ms. Rummel take over the reins is only possible because of the amazing leadership provided by Mark Rogers for the last eighteen years. Janet at the helm of OCCF bodes well for the future of the Foundation and Owen County. Congratulations, Janet.”
Before working at IU, Janet was vice-president of workforce alignment at IVY Tech Community College. She is a twenty-year veteran educator and has worked in leadership roles with other non-profits during her successful career. Janet earned a bachelor of arts in biology and political science from DePauw University, a master of science degree in education from Indiana University, and is currently completing a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Purdue.
“I am so excited to begin work in this position. I welcome the opportunity to work with the people of Owen County to keep the momentum going,” Janet said. “I am dedicated to this community and want to work to ensure inclusivity of community voices in achieving the mission of the Foundation,” she added.
Janet has worked on various Owen County projects in her current position at the IU Center for Rural Engagement which will allow her to begin her work at the OCCF with a good understanding of local issues. Through her volunteer work in Owen County, Janet will already be a familiar face to many. She volunteers with several groups locally including Spencer Pride, the Historic Tivoli Theater, and Spencer Main Street.
“I’m really overjoyed to have someone of Janet’s caliber pick up the mantle here,” said outgoing CEO Mark Rogers. “This organization has been a great fit for this community and I know Janet will be a great fit for the OCCF.”
The Owen County Community Foundation is committed to helping Owen County communities become better places to live, grow, and work. The Foundation office can be reached at 812-829-1725.