(WEST CHESTER, PA – June 16, 2026): The Chester County Community Foundation is honoring Outgoing Board Chair Zebulun Davenport Ed.D. and welcoming Incoming Chair Erik Gudmundson at Leadership Succession Reception on Friday, June 26. The Foundation is also celebrating outgoing CEO Karen Simmons and introducing Incoming CEO Kate Wickersham. Guests are invited to align.Space to enjoy delicious food, wine and beer, downtown West Chester, and wonderful company, while also celebrating Community Foundation board and CEO leadership transitions.
Zebulun serves as the Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at West Chester University. Davenport is a leader and strategist and prides himself of furthering student success at WCU. He has co-authored and co-edited multiple books and received a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Davenport has presented at workshops for numerous public agencies including education institutions state, regional, and national conferences, as well as to thousands of college students and professionals.
The Chester County Community Foundation is excited to welcome Erik Gudmundson as the Incoming Board Chair. The Community Foundation is confident that Erik’s intellect and experience, strong leadership, and clear vision for the Foundation will lend greatly to his success as Board Chair.
Over the past 25 years outgoing President/CEO, Karen Simmons’ leadership grew the foundation substantially, more than doubling our entrusted funds from 130 to over 335. Through her commitment to the Foundation’s mission Simmons managed to champion legacy philanthropy, strengthen nonprofit capacity, and deepen donor engagement across Chester County.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors selected Kate Wickersham CRFE as the new President/CEO of the Foundation. We welcome Wickersham to lead us in deepening our donor engagement, strengthening regional partnerships, and expanding opportunities for philanthropy to create a lasting impact. Wickersham stated that she looks forward to “listening, learning, and working alongside donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to help Chester County remain a place where people want to live, work, and thrive.”
Leadership Succession Reception will be held on Friday, June 26 from 3:00-5:30pm at align.Space in West Chester, PA. This event is free and open to the public. In honor of Karen’s 25 years at the helm of the Community Foundation, honorary donations can be made to the CCCF Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Fund. Please visit www.chescocf.org/ceo/ or call 610-696-8211 for more information.
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About the Chester County Community Foundation
Headquartered in West Chester’s Lincoln Building, the Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter so their legacy philanthropy makes a difference now and forever. The Community Foundation holds over $140 million in trust and annually awards $6+ million in grants and scholarships. Learn more about the Community Foundation at www.chescocf.org.
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Photo (L to R): Outgoing Chair Dr. Zeb Davenport, Outgoing President/CEO Karen Simmons, Incoming Chair Erik Gudmundson, Incoming President/CEO Kate Wickersham CFRE.