Director of granting retires; successor ready to take reins

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - December 18, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. — After 23 years at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Donna Windel, director of granting, will retire on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.

Windel joined the Noble Foundation in 1986 after practicing public accounting for several years. Through her two decades as director, she provided guidance and direction to numerous nonprofit organizations and managed the issuing of more than 2,000 grants, totaling about $240 million.

"I have had the great honor of spending my career at an organization dedicated to benefiting mankind," Windel said. "It has been a joy to see how many lives have been changed through the Noble Foundation's granting effort and agricultural programs. Just as the lives around me have been blessed, so too have I. Both personally and professionally, I could not have dreamed of a more fulfilling job. I'm excited to see what lies ahead of me and the Noble Foundation."

Windel assisted in the development of the Sam Noble Scholarship Program, which to date has helped more than 130 students receive a college education, and the Profiles and Perspectives Community Enrichment Series, one of the organization's popular speaker series that informs and entertains the southern Oklahoma community by bringing national speakers to the area.

In addition to counseling grantseekers visiting the Noble Foundation, she also gave of her time, serving on the board of directors of various organizations, including Cross Timbers Hospice, the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.

"With the aid of her keen eye and inquisitive nature, Donna has provided an invaluable contribution to the Noble Foundation," said Michael A. Cawley, president and chief executive officer. "We cannot fully express our gratitude for her years of dedicated service. She will be greatly missed."

Mary Kate Wilson will succeed Windel as director. Wilson has worked alongside Windel in granting department for more than a decade, earning the title of Program Officer in 2005.

"Mary Kate has been a key member of the Noble Foundation's granting department staff for 12 years," Cawley said. "She has earned the confidence of our Board of Trustees and the respect of her colleagues. Her knowledge, abilities and wealth of experience will provide us with a seamless transition."

Windel echoed Cawley's confidence, saying "Mary Kate is one of the finest individuals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She is intelligent and organized, personable and diligent. She will make an excellent director."

A lifelong resident of southern Oklahoma, Wilson joined the Noble Foundation staff in 1997 after graduating from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of science in journalism and broadcasting. Along with her duties, she has coordinated the Profiles and Perspectives Community Enrichment Series for almost a decade and manages the Sam Noble Scholarship Program.

Additionally, she serves on the board of directors of the Ardmore City Schools Enrichment Foundation, as chair of the Cornerstone Steering Committee and as a member of Ardmore Young Professionals Steering Committee.

"I consider myself fortunate to be a part of the Noble Foundation," Wilson said. "I have been afforded tremendous opportunities here, learning from an excellent mentor and friend in Donna Windel and honing the necessary skill set to be successful in this job. It is my goal to continue the legacy of excellence we have established in the granting department."

Wilson is married to Cade Wilson, DVM, owner of Carter County Animal Hospital. The couple has a 1-year-old son, Jack.

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Photos:: Mary Kate Wilson; Donna Windel

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.