Monica Dittmer will take over as the new director of the Eudora Schools Foundation following Shanda Hurla’s decision to step down and take another role at the high school.
Dittmer has served as the volunteer and program coordinator since fall 2023.
Dittmer said the main goal is to keep the momentum of the foundation going. Its recent Give Day raised over $100,000 for the schools.
“When you look at the record breaking Give Day we just had, and the initiatives that our foundation has been able to put forth for our students, and even the work we’ve done, you know, this year with our Career Connect Program, there’s so much momentum that, really, my first goal has to be making sure that we just continue that stride,” Dittmer said.
Dittmer will assume the new role on June 30. She said until then, she wants to learn everything she can from Hurla.
“I’m going to use these next few months to soak up all the knowledge and info I can from Shanda, but I’m ready to go,” Dittmer said.
Dittmer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, strong community ties and a commitment to the foundation’s mission, said Frances Lyons, past president of the board of directors.
“We look forward to seeing her thrive in the position and leading the foundation in achieving exceptional goals,” she said.
Following this change in leadership, Dittmer sees an opportunity to step back, evaluate and improve the foundation. She also said she sees it as an opportunity to reconnect with the community and important stakeholders.
“Change is difficult, but I am excited and motivated about the fact that this is an opportunity to kind of look at where we’re at and what things, you know, will continue to drive us and to benefit us in the future,” she said.
She said the foundation is already great, and she thinks its members are “in a position to be able to dream really big.”
If it were up to Dittmer, she said she would keep Hurla for as long as she could. Still, she said she feels great to take on the new role.
“I feel good. I’m here. I’m ready. I’m excited,” Dittmer said. “I am humbled by everything that Shanda and our board, and even our past board members and volunteers, have done to kind of get us to this point.”
She said she thinks Hurla did a great job building trust with the community and strengthening the foundation.
“There has been a lot of work, you know, around our branding and making sure people know who we are and what we’re doing,” Dittmer said. “They trust what we’re doing and where we’re going and they see it in action. I think that has really been the key part.”
As for Hurla, she said she is leaving the foundation in good hands. She said Dittmer knows a lot and is a parent in the community.
“She has worked in the nonprofit setting, has had executive leadership before in her past roles, and so the board of directors, I think, we’re really excited to be able to make this transition,” Hurla said. “She’s very familiar with the community and many of our donors.”
Reach Bella Waters at [email protected].
