{"id":4942,"date":"2025-12-15T15:54:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4942"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:32:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:32:40","slug":"siu-foundation-adds-five-to-its-board-of-directors-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4942","title":{"rendered":"SIU Foundation Adds Five to Its Board of Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5i6xj7rEeq8?si=yTLujskx_NtjAHJA\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">By\u00a0Britni Bateman<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The SIU Foundation recently announced the addition of five members to its Board of Directors.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Led by President Dan Korte, the SIU Foundation Board of Directors continues to advance the goals of Imagine SIU 2030. The campaign, which concludes in 2028, has raised more than\u00a0$440\u00a0million\u00a0toward its $500 million goal, fueling scholarships, facility\u00a0improvements\u00a0and new opportunities that strengthen SIU\u2019s future.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The following individuals joined the board on July 1, 2025:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Jennifer (Yunker) Dore<\/strong>, who earned degrees from SIU in dental hygiene (1991) and advanced technical studies (1994), has\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0decades of commitment to community service and philanthropy. Her early career included work in Chicago-area dental practices before earning a master\u2019s degree in public health from Indiana University. She later dedicated extensive time to volunteer leadership, serving on education boards, supporting\u00a0nonprofits\u00a0and contributing to cancer support organizations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Her philanthropic support\u00a0for\u00a0SIU began\u00a0immediately\u00a0after graduation. Over three decades, she and her husband, Marty, have continued to give annually and recently provided seed funding for SIU\u2019s Community Care and Education Center (CCEC). Their support helped launch the initiative, which now serves individuals and families throughout Southern Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dore was nominated to the foundation board following her service on the Dean\u2019s Advisory Committee for the College of Health and Human Sciences.\u00a0She and her husband live in the Chicago area and have two children.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWhen I was asked to join the foundation, I felt truly honored,\u201d Dore said. \u201cI\u2019m\u00a0excited to support the incredible progress happening at SIU. The foundation is investing in the right things, and\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0proud to play a small role in helping the university and the community grow.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Helen Heimann<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a 1984 graduate\u00a0in advanced technical studies, is a retired financial services executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in risk management,\u00a0compliance\u00a0and regulatory implementation. She most recently served as a managing director at Wells Fargo, where she led enterprise-wide implementation of regulatory changes, playing a key role in navigating evolving financial industry standards and strengthening organizational compliance frameworks.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Heimann also holds a Master of Science in information management from Washington University in St. Louis. Her career has been defined by a commitment to operational excellence, ethical\u00a0leadership\u00a0and developing scalable solutions in highly regulated environments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She is president of the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link, where she works closely with organizational leadership to ensure financial stability. Community Link is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through adult day services, employment opportunities, volunteer\u00a0work\u00a0and daily life skills development.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now retired, Heimann brings her strategic insight and governance experience to her role on the Southern Illinois University Foundation Board. She is passionate about supporting students and advancing the mission of higher education through thoughtful stewardship and alumni engagement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Heimann currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think everyone can add value \u2014 whether it\u2019s through their experience, their network or simply bringing more awareness to SIU,\u201d Heimann said. \u201cCarbondale has such a great history. The more we talk about it, the better.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ron Smith<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a 1964 marketing graduate and 1966 MBA recipient, has spent six decades as a champion for SIU. A native of Walsh, Illinois, Smith went on to serve as chief operating officer of Medical Group of North County, Inc., and manager of SDCC Properties Manager, LLC, overseeing the facilities of the San Diego Cancer Center \u2014 an integrative oncology program later incorporated into UC San Diego Health. He also serves on the board of the San Diego Cancer Research Institute.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He\u00a0remained\u00a0deeply connected to his alma mater, contributing more than $250,000 over the last 20 years. Recently, he made a $500,000 leadership gift to\u00a0establish\u00a0a student textbook\u00a0assistance\u00a0fund. He also supports endowed chairs within the College of Business and Analytics.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A longtime donor to Saluki Athletics, Smith has\u00a0maintained\u00a0season football tickets despite living in California and has supported initiatives including Blackout Cancer and Saluki Softball. His extended family includes multiple generations of Salukis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cEven if you\u2019re in California, like me, you can help folks in Southern Illinois,\u201d he said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Derrick Taylor<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a 1985 SIU graduate in automotive technology and business management, came to SIU as a standout running back from Chicago and helped lead the Salukis to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA national championship. After college, he briefly joined the Denver Broncos as a free agent before beginning his professional career with Oldsmobile.\u00a0He eventually returned to Chicago, spending 14 years working for the City of Chicago and later serving as assistant commissioner at O\u2019Hare International Airport.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Today, Taylor is the owner\/operator of six McDonald\u2019s restaurants in Illinois, employing more than 300 people. He also serves as president of the Black McDonald\u2019s Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.\u00a0Taylor is the father of three sons and a daughter.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI said yes to the Foundation Board when I felt I could give it my best. At this point in my life, I have the time, experience and passion to add value, help make things a little better than they were before and give back to the place that helped shape who I am,\u201d Taylor said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Eugene Walker Jr.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> graduated from SIU in 1983 with degrees in construction management and building construction technology and has built a distinguished 40-year career in commercial building, heavy highway\u00a0work\u00a0and program management. He is the majority owner, president and CEO of EJ Smith Construction and Supply Companies; majority co-owner and CEO of Integrated Project Solutions, LLC; and owner,\u00a0president\u00a0and CEO of the EVENT Companies. He also serves as chair of the DeSoto Area Chamber of Commerce and has cultivated strong relationships across the construction industry, public\u00a0sector\u00a0and community organizations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Walker is committed to expanding opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses through strategic partnerships,\u00a0mentorship\u00a0and advocacy. His service on\u00a0numerous\u00a0boards, advocacy\u00a0awards\u00a0and recognition as an influential African American leader in Texas highlight his dedication to opening doors for others.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He\u00a0is a proud\u00a0family man\u00a0dedicated to his wife and partner Elsa of 18 years. Their son, Victor, is the family company\u2019s lead structural senior estimator, and their daughter, Tatyana, is a Truman Scholar, Fulbright finalist, Luce Scholar and 2024 Rhodes Scholar. Walker is also a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWhether it is mentoring to build bridges or giving back through philanthropy, I believe in making a difference and being the difference,\u201d Walker said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By\u00a0Britni Bateman\u00a0 The SIU Foundation recently announced the addition of five members to its Board of Directors.\u00a0 Led by President Dan Korte, the SIU Foundation Board of Directors continues to advance the goals of Imagine SIU 2030. The campaign, which concludes in 2028, has raised more than\u00a0$440\u00a0million\u00a0toward its $500 million goal, fueling scholarships, facility\u00a0improvements\u00a0and new &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4942\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">SIU Foundation Adds Five to Its Board of Directors<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-higher-education","category-illinois-higher-education","category-siu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4942"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4945,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942\/revisions\/4945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}