This past month brought a couple of big changes at Anna Marie’s Alliance. As the transition of seasons reminds us that winter does, indeed, always come to an end, Anna Marie’s invites another happy transition — the addition of two new members to our leadership team! Join us as we welcome our new Director of Development and Communications and Manager of Community Services.
Lori Eich and Njeri Clement each bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to Anna Marie’s. With their specialized knowledge and fresh ideas for growth, Anna Marie’s looks forward to continuing to make important changes in our community.
“With their deep ties to the community and their passion for ending domestic violence, we are thrilled to have Lori and Njeri join Anna Marie’s Alliance.” says Executive Director of Anna Marie’s Alliance Charles Hempeck. “Our development department and community services efforts will flourish under their leadership.”
Read on to find out more about Lori and Njeri and the talent they have to offer — to Anna Marie’s Alliance’s mission, to the people we serve, and to you, our wonderful supporters. Join us as we welcome the newest members of our leadership team!
Lori Eich’s knowledge of the nonprofit development sector coupled with her deep connection to our community are huge assets to Anna Marie’s Alliance. We are pleased to welcome her leadership as our new Director of Development and Communications.
Lori Eich, Director of Development and Communications
Lori is a central Minnesota native. Her love for the area drew her back home after attending college at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. And it’s clear to see that love is reciprocated!
Everywhere she goes, Lori runs into somebody who knows and loves her. And during her first week at Anna Marie’s an innocent post to our Facebook page featuring a photo of Lori with some folks who stopped by with a truck loaded with donated items generated more likes, comments, and follows than nearly any content we’ve ever posted!
Lori’s been working in the nonprofit sector for 10 years. Beginning at the March of Dimes as the Division Director for Central Minnesota, she led and managed all fundraising development, donor relationship stewardship, and event planning for four years. In that role, Lori began building strong relationships with community leaders and championing public awareness of needs gaps in our area.
Most recently, Lori held the position of Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at the United Way of Central Minnesota. In that position, she was integral to significant growth of revenue streams through planned gifts, procurement of leadership support, and excellent donor stewardship.
Lori is a huge advocate for women’s and children’s issues and for systemic equality for all.
“Anna Marie’s Alliance’s mission and work are crucial to building a strong, vibrant community,” Lori says. “I am so fortunate to be joining such a respected organization, focused on immediate needs as well as systems change and building hope for a stronger community for all.”
When she’s not making connections in the community and championing Anna Marie’s cause, Lori’s free time is spent cheering on her two teenagers from the sidelines of the soccer field and hockey rink. She also loves going camping with her family and spends every precious spare minute of the Minnesota summers on the water.
Anna Marie’s welcomes Lori, and we think you probably do, too.
Unlike Lori, Njeri Clement, Anna Marie’s new Manager of Community Services, isn’t native to central Minnesota. Not even close. Njeri’s story begins across the globe, and her relocation to St. Cloud happened rather unexpectedly.
Njeri was born and raised in Kenya. As a young adult, she became involved in grassroots organizations working to build awareness about women’s issues in Africa. An advocate and leader by nature, Njeri caught the attention of faculty at SCSU, and in 2006 was invited to speak at the university about her work with women in Africa.
Njeri Clement, Manager of Community Services
After presenting at SCSU and getting to know the university and the St. Cloud area, Njeri decided she would stay! She enrolled in the Gender and Women’s Studies program and earned her bachelor’s degree. But she didn’t stop there.
Upon graduation, Njeri enrolled in SCSU’s graduate program and earned her master’s in Social Responsibility. Clearly Njeri loves to learn — she went on to earn her second master’s, this time in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University.
Njeri’s connection to Anna Marie’s Alliance didn’t start when she came on board last month. After she finished undergraduate school, she worked at Anna Marie’s for two years as a women’s advocate. She says she loved her work here then, and is delighted to be back, in her new role. We are just as excited to welcome her back!
Since her former days on our staff, Njeri worked as communications and development manager for New Beginnings. She then moved on to a position as a self-sufficiency counselor at Tri-CAP, followed by career counseling at AVIVO. To say the least, we’re happy to have her back.
Along with her astounding professional background, Njeri is deeply involved with community organizations. Her passion for women’s advocacy is apparent, as she has worked with the African Women’s Alliance, the West Central Regional Advisory Committee on Trafficking, and the Minnesota Coalition for Sexual Assault, among several others. She is passionate about refugee issues and has been integral in helping organizations that work with and advocate for refugees in our area.
Njeri’s impressive education and experience in the field, along with her deep commitment to the Anna Marie’s Alliance mission, assure that we’ve found the perfect woman for the job. We are more than excited to welcome her back to our team!