August 2, 2021
Landmarks Illinois announces staff developments as part of ongoing restructuring & re-envisioning of organization
Landmarks Illinois is pleased to announce exciting new staff developments that will further enable the organization to serve the people of Illinois and support our future plans for preservation in the state and nation. Three members of the Landmarks Illinois team have been promoted and/or have a new job title that more closely fits their mission-driven work:
- Julie Carpenter, former Office Manager, has been promoted to Programs Manager
- Suzanne Germann, who has worked for Landmarks Illinois for more than 15 years and was previously our Director of Grants & Easements, will now be our Director of Reinvestment
- Tiffanie Williams, longtime Events Manager, will now serve as Director of Corporate Giving & Events
These staff announcements follows the news in July that Frank Butterfield, who served as Springfield Office Director of eight years, had been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new position created to deploy Frank’s outstanding organizational skills. Launching the COO role was at the leading edge of operational restructuring associated with our 50th anniversary and the bold vision for Landmarks Illinois’ future.
“We’re proud to announce this next phase in our plan to realign our exceptional professional team toward greater mission fulfillment,” said Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “This includes strengthening existing public engagement and service delivery while preparing for future program expansion.”
Julie Carpenter, Programs Manager
As of 2021, Julie Carpenter ably stepped in to manage the Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards, a program previously run for more than 15 years by Suzanne Germann. Julie’s thoughtful, creative and effective project delivery identified an opportunity to fulfill our longstanding desire to expand our program offerings and capitalize on her extraordinary skills. We’re pleased to promote Julie to Programs Manager and are eager for more educational, training and engagement opportunities to emerge.
Suzanne Germann, Director of Reinvestment
Suzanne Germann becomes our Director of Reinvestment, a title that more accurately describes her programs. For 17 years, Suzanne has devoted her talents at Landmarks Illinois toward providing financial incentives and legal agreements to protect and revitalize historic places. This includes managing our growing grants and preservation easement programs as Director of Grants & Easements. She recently added the Reinvestment Program to her portfolio — Landmarks Illinois’ new revolving loan program supported by a grant from The 1772 Foundation.
Tiffanie Williams, Director of Corporate Giving & Events
Tiffanie Williams has equally demonstrated exceptional ability to engage expanding audiences in our events in her seven years as Landmarks Illinois Events Manager. A significant number of new corporate partners have emerged through her relationship building within Landmarks Illinois, the Real Estate & Building Industries Council and the Skyline Council, the organization’s young & emerging professionals committee. These supporters’ contributions go well beyond the financial as several companies donate their expertise pro bono to help our advocacy project partners. We are eager to foster Tiffanie’s natural abilities to engage people in our work and are proud to promote her as our new Director of Corporate Giving & Events. As part of Tiffanie’s elevated role, the position of Events Manager will soon be open.
Additional Restructuring
Unfortunately, restructuring also requires difficult choices be made. This included eliminating the Director of Development & Engagement position at Landmarks Illinois. Our corporate partners are now directed to Tiffanie Williams for assistance. Marija Rich continues on as our Membership Manager providing service to our members and individual donors. Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President & CEO, will now manage our major donor relations.
Landmarks Illinois is excited to begin implementing our bold vision for the organization’s next 50 years utilizing our new Guiding Principles as a framework. We always seek to be transparent with our stakeholders about decisions and how pivoting our work will better fulfill Landmarks Illinois important mission. Please reach out to Bonnie McDonald at bmcdonald@landmarks.org with questions, comments and support for our work.
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