W. K. Kellogg Foundation names new program officer

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Joanne Krell
269.969.2079 

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation today announced the selection of  Daniel Varner as a program officer. He will join the staff April 29, reporting to Greg Taylor, vice president for Programs. In his new role, Varner will be primarily responsible for identifying and nurturing innovative programming in the foundation’s Education and Learning area — its largest portfolio — to support vulnerable children, families and communities.

Varner will continue his involvement in Detroit representing the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in partnerships with other organizations concerned about vulnerable children and interested in innovative, realistic community solutions.

“Dan brings with him a decade of leadership in serving the needs of vulnerable youth in Detroit,” said Taylor. “We are looking forward to his insight and expertise in fueling our future endeavors in education and learning, as well as leading our Detroit-based work.”

The Kellogg Foundation prioritizes three states within its U.S. efforts: Michigan, Mississippi and New Mexico. Among them, Michigan gets the greatest focus and resources with a particular emphasis on Battle Creek, Detroit and Grand Rapids as well as the rural regions of Michigan including the Upper Peninsula.

Varner is currently chief executive officer for Think Detroit Police Athletic League, one of the largest youth development organizations in Detroit, delivering programming to approximately 12,000 youth annually. He will join the Board of Directors of the awardwinning organization. Earlier in his career, Varner was a public defender and an associate attorney with Sachs, Waldman, O’Hare, Helveston, Bogas & McIntosh, P.C. He earned his B.A. in history and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan.

“Although it isn’t easy to leave Think Detroit PAL, I am very confident in the strong leadership team and board of directors at the organization,” said Varner. “I am also tremendously honored to join the Kellogg Foundation and aid its effort to help communities, like Detroit, propel vulnerable children to success.”

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, established in 1930, supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, southern Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

For further information on the foundation, please visit www.wkkf.org