W.K. Kellogg Foundation names Kathryn Krecke as corporate secretary and general counsel

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) announces the selection of Kathryn Krecke as corporate secretary and general counsel, and an officer of the foundation. She will report to WKKF President and CEO Sterling K. Speirn.

Krecke, who will join the foundation on March 4, was most recently the vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz.

"We are very pleased that Kathy will join the foundation's leadership team. She brings outstanding global legal experience, governance knowledge and a record of successful leadership in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors," said Speirn.

"And, as a Michigan native, Kathy is looking forward to returning home and contributing to the Kellogg Foundation's  work to ensure that all children have opportunities to realize their full potential," added Speirn.  

"I am honored to have been invited to join the Kellogg Foundation in its service to vulnerable children and families," said Krecke. "And, I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated members of the foundation community."

Krecke joined the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a number one ranked school of international business, in 2005 as an associate vice president and general counsel and in 2007 was appointed corporate secretary. In 2009, she was promoted to vice president and assumed responsibility for human resources in addition to her other roles. Since 2005, Krecke has served as the chief legal officer for operations in the United States, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, China and Mexico.

Earlier work also included a managing a private law practice in 2004-2005; serving as managing counsel for retail marketing, manager of retirement plans and employment practices, and senior counsel for ConocoPhillips in Tempe, Ariz., from 1995-2004; and as a partner with Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre & Friedlander, P.A., in Phoenix.

Krecke earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her bachelor's degree in history from Hope College in Holland, Mich.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation