Kaniqua Welch named Vice President, Communications and Marketing
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is pleased to announce Kaniqua Welch as its new vice president of Communications and Marketing, effective Feb. 25.
Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Welch served as a communications officer at The Kresge Foundation where she oversaw communications for several national grantmaking programs, including American Cities, Arts & Culture, Environment, and Human Services. She also co-led communications planning for the Kresge Detroit Program’s Marygrove P-20 Learning Community.
In previous roles, Welch served as vice president at Finn Partners and as account director at Weber Shandwick, both global public relations and marketing firms. At each agency, Welch worked with corporate, nonprofit and philanthropic clients to oversee programs focused on integrated media strategies; executive positioning and thought leadership; corporate social responsibility; and social issues campaigns centered on education, health, social justice and community development.
“Kaniqua has a strong track record of leading communications planning in the public and private sectors,” says Nicole Sherard-Freeman, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. “Her work with the Kresge Foundation in understanding the philanthropic landscape on a national scale, with Weber Shandwick in developing communications strategies for nonprofits and corporate clients, and with Detroit Public Schools in working locally with community constituents – these skills will be key in driving the narrative around the Community Foundation’s new strategic vision and goals. She was our first choice for this role, and we’re excited to have her onboard.”
Welch started her career as a news reporter with The Oakland Press. During her career, she has worked with several organizations, including Detroit Public Schools, where she managed media relations, marketing, crisis planning, internal communications and external partnerships. She also worked with McLaren Oakland Medical Center and the POH Regional Medical Center Marketing & Foundation Office, where she coordinated donor relations, fundraising events, hospital publications and community engagement programs.
“Kaniqua is the perfect fit to lead Communications and Marketing for the Community Foundation given her breadth and depth of knowledge,” says Sherrie Arb, who previously held the position and retired in early March after a successful and fulfilling 40-year career. “Kaniqua’s ability to collaboratively shape a strategic narrative and lead plans to communicate with various stakeholders is exciting for the Community Foundation.”
Welch is also a former adjunct instructor at Oakland University. A native of Detroit, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oakland University and a master’s degree in public relations and organizational communication from Wayne State University. She is currently pursuing a certification in public leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.
“In my first 30 days with the Community Foundation, several things are clear,” says Welch. “I’ve inherited an incredibly talented team of communications strategists. I’m excited to work alongside them to build upon the great work they’ve already been doing and to further elevate our grantee partners, special initiatives, and donor engagement. I’m most excited about Nicole’s leadership and her vision for the Foundation. Joining Nicole’s executive team, playing a role in building something new, and having a chance to lead in an organization like the Community Foundation — at a time like this — doesn’t happen very often. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”