Mary Anne Snyder, Founding President
Mary Anne Snyder is the Founding President of the Celebrate Children Foundation. She is also currently the Executive Director for the Wisconsin Children’s Trust Fund (Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board). She has served in that capacity since 2001. In addition, she is completing a four year term as President of the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds.
Mary Anne also served as the Programs Director for the Children’s Trust Fund for eleven years, during which time she was responsible for the development, promotion and administration of a statewide network of family support and education grants programs. She effectively initiated the development of best practice and performance standards, peer review, and outcome evaluation designs for family resource centers. Mary Anne now brings her expertise to other state agencies and local community organizations, providing consultation and technical assistance in implementing family support programs.
James L. Leonhart, Executive Vice President
Jim Leonhart became the first Executive Vice President of the Celebrate Children Foundation in July 2009. Jim had most recently held the position of Executive Director of the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association (WBMA), one of the leading life science associations in the country. Under his leadership, WBMA expanded their association membership from 40 to nearly 300 members.
Prior to his work with the WBMA, Jim was a Senior Consultant at DeWitt, Ross & Stevens, S.C. and served as Vice President of Government Relations at AT&T. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education and chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jim serves as a member of the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, Aaron’s House, and the University of Wisconsin-Extension Board of Visitors. In addition, he is on the Advisory Board of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Previously, Jim also served as a member of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and the Celebrate Children Foundation Board.
Kelly L. Hook, Resource Development Coordinator
Kelly Hook joined the Celebrate Children Foundation as Resource Development Coordinator in April 2010. She received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. With the Foundation, Kelly’s role includes developing effective marketing communications, pursuing sustainable funding sources, managing donor relations, as well as helping to establish grant-making strategies.
Kelly brings to the foundation over 10 years of strategic marketing, branding and communications experience. Prior to joining CCF, she worked as the Regional Marketing Representative for AMCORE Bank and served as the International Marketing Manager for the Promotions Division at Serigraph, Inc.
Currently, Kelly serves on the board of directors for the Foundation for Wisconsin DECA as well as the DECA Center (both organizations support Wisconsin DECA, an association of marketing students). Additionally, she holds a real estate license in Wisconsin and has also received a diploma from the American Banker’s Association School of Bank Marketing and Management.
