KNSCF Creates a New Brand, Elects New Officers, and Hires Its First Full-Time Executive Director
The Kauai North Shore Community Foundation (KNSCF), a leading non-profit founded in 2012, has announced significant changes to its name, officers, and staff.
Stepping down after nine years as the president, Rory Enright said, “It’s time for new dynamic leadership to take the helm and lead the Foundation to new heights and achievements.” The Foundation’s board unanimously elected Stefan Swanepoel as its new president, Louis LaFratta as vice president, April McGinnis as treasurer, and Mary Paterson as secretary.
Moving quickly, the new leadership adopted the business plan that had been under development by the Foundation’s strategic planning committee for the past five months. The plan includes sweeping changes such as a new brand and DBA for the organization, multiple new initiatives, and the hiring of the Foundation’s first full-time Executive Director.
Going forward the Kauai North Shore Community Foundation will use North Shore Give as its trade name. “North Shore Give defines our renewed focus to foster a giving mindset in our North Shore community and working together, we can all make significant positive and lasting impact,” LaFratta said.
Simultaneously Swanepoel announced the appointment of Maylette Garces as the first Executive Director for North Shore Give. “Garces is an exceptionally well-connected resident of the North Shore and has been involved with countless nonprofit projects,” Swanepoel stated. “She will be an integral part of North Shore Give becoming the heart of a connected and thriving North Shore community.” For the past four years, Garces was the General Manager of the Princeville of Hanalei Community Association (PHCA) and will vacate that position on November 30th.
“We are honored to be elected to lead this Foundation with such a great track record of contributions to the North Shore,” Swanepoel said. The Foundation is known for its founding and driving role in securing the approval from the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission to build Namahana School in Kilauea. Eleven acres for the future school has already been acquired and construction is slated to start in 2024. “This will be the first public, tuition-free middle and high school for children on the North Shore” LaFratta said. The Foundation also created and manages the only dog park on the North Shore, and hosts the annual Ohana FitFest, now in its 10th year. The new officer appointments and new Executive Director begin on January 1st.
Stefan Swanepoel currently serves as the president of the Princeville II Community Association and founder of I Heart Princeville, the largest non-commercial information-based website for Princeville. Swanepoel is executive chairman of numerous businesses including T3 Sixty, T3 Data, T3 Talent, T3 Events, and Real Estate News. Louis LaFratta is one of the Broker’s in Charge at Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty, and serves as the current President of the Kaua’i Board of Realtors and the President of the Kaua’i North Shore Lions Club. Mary Paterson is a founding member of the Foundation, has lived on Kaua’i for almost 35 years and is an active volunteer for various nonprofits including the Namahana School fundraising team. April McGinnis is a Registered Investment Adviser and currently the lead member liaison for the PHCA community design committee. Other North Shore Give board members include Lorraine Mull, a 40-year resident of Kaua’i, Namahana Education Foundation board member, and retired attorney; Ken Rosenthal, the senior adviser for a nonprofit economic development lending company with a focus on commercial real estate; Rory Enright, currently the president of the Ka’iulani Homeowners Association and previously the general manager of PHCA and board member of the Kaua’i Chamber of Commerce.
About Kauai North Shore Community Foundation DBA North Shore Give
North Shore Give (Kauai North Shore Community Foundation) strives to be the heart of Kaua’i’s North Shore by being the principal community resource that connects nonprofits, donors, and other organizations; being the central hub of information; and leading or supporting critical initiatives that affect the Kauai North Shore.
