Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton names Marisa Rohn as next president

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Tags: Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton , Foundations

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The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton board has selected Marisa Rohn as the foundation’s next president, effective July 18. She succeeds President Joni T. Close, who is retiring after 25 years of service.

Rohn comes to the position after building a career in communications, development and partnerships with significant experience in nonprofit and higher education leadership.

She is currently the vice president of advancement, human resources and partnerships for Stark State College, and executive director of the Stark State College Foundation. She serves on Stark State’s president’s executive council, president’s cabinet, access and success team, and enrollment management team. She oversees a staff of 21 and provides leadership in advancement and fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing and community relations, human resources, career services, strategic grants, workforce efforts and many other areas.

Her nonprofit experience includes serving as vice president of marketing and fund development for Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio and market manager for United Way of Central Stark County.

Rohn will usher in the Sisters of Charity Foundation’s next era of grantmaking and community impact.

“The opportunity to serve our community in this capacity is both humbling and exciting. I have big shoes to fill with the retirement of Joni Close as president, and I will work tirelessly to ensure the foundation continues making the impact it has under her leadership,” said Rohn. “The Catholic roots and servant leadership style of this organization align directly with my beliefs and values as a person and a leader, and I am looking forward to advancing the mission of such a dynamic organization.”

U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi chairs the foundation’s board. She states, “The board is confident that Ms. Rohn is the perfect leader to take up the mantle and continue the foundation’s important work. Her personal and professional experience and philosophy of leadership will strengthen the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine’s legacy and ensure a continued dedication to their mission and vision.”

Rohn succeeds President Joni T. Close, who is retiring after 25 years of service. Under Close’s direction, the foundation made significant impacts in health, education and social services work in Stark and surrounding counties. Her leadership resulted in the founding of Canton’s Early Childhood Resource Center, which began as a professional development center for Stark County early educators, and now serves educators and families in six Ohio counties. Her vision also led to the establishment of the SPARK Ohio kindergarten readiness program, which has helped more than 17,000 Ohio children gain the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in school.

“As a family of faith-filled health, grantmaking and outreach ministries across Ohio and South Carolina, we at the Sisters of Charity Health System are grateful to Joni for her many years of improving systems and policy to uplift families and children in Canton, Stark County and state-wide,” said Janice G. Murphy, MSN, FACHE, president & CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System. “We are excited to welcome Marisa to leadership of one of our three grantmaking foundations, which put hope into action every day for the communities we serve.”

Read more in The Repository

About the Foundation
Established in 1996, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. Based on the vision of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved by understanding the root causes of poverty, nurturing the growth of healthy communities, emphasizing youth and family, and measuring the outcomes of these efforts. More information is available at scfcanton.org