Kristin Sovis
Kristin Sovis – In Her Own Words
“In 2022, I was intrigued by a post I saw from the Community Foundation for the Postsecondary Leader role. Before that, I had worked in education for nearly 20 years in various capacities.
I was born in Saginaw, Michigan. My parents are Saginaw natives who met in high school. My dad’s first teaching job was in Midland, and my mom worked as a registered nurse. They commuted to work until my dad decided we should move to Midland. I grew up here, went to school here, and began working for Midland Public Schools after finishing my undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University. Six years into my career, I felt an itch to serve more people in broader and more systemic ways. I took a leave of absence from Dow High and Midland Public Schools to complete a doctoral fellowship at Western Michigan University. I took that leave because I loved what I did at the high school and wanted to retain my role as a backup. It turned out, of course, that I wanted to take that risk. I fell in love with learning more and broadening my content knowledge. I realized I could impact more students by mentoring and coaching the teachers they learned from.
Something in that Community Foundation ad spoke to me about my community. It resonated with the behind-the-scenes work I was already doing in education to impact equity for all learners. I wanted to use my skills to support Midland County learners in accessing everything they needed to be their best selves. Was it a risk to jump from education to philanthropy? Maybe. It was a risk I would take all over again. I drew on my relationships in education, K-12, nonprofit, and higher ed to learn more deeply about our learners and the barriers they face. I am now fortunate to work with some of the best partners in Midland County and the Great Lakes Bay Region to make opportunities more visible and accessible for all learners.
I knew about the Community Foundation as a lifelong Midland County resident, but I didn’t realize how much goes on behind the scenes. The Foundation convenes around values that reflect our community’s vision statement. Through this work, I’m able to contribute to that vision. When we think about entities that have a pulse on our community’s needs and gaps, the Community Foundation stands out. It’s not just about donations; it’s about time, care, and concern for your neighbor. Our people are everything. They give their time and talent to change lives, reduce barriers, and make paths forward more visible. The Community Foundation is a place for everyone to unite, learn, and grow.
Much like at work, I love being with people outside of the office. My husband, Andy, and I have twin 11-year-olds – one boy and one girl. I love spending time with my family, hosting parties, having my kids’ friends over after school, and gathering with others. I love coaching and mentoring, whether it’s my kids’ sports teams or helping out with school activities. I thrive when I’m part of a collaborative, fun, and interactive group. As a family, we are always outdoors. Whether it’s camping, hiking, biking, or something else, we play outside a lot!
As a kid growing up, I probably didn’t realize how beautiful our small community was or how supportive and engaging it can be, but fortunately, through my career, I have found real beauty in Midland. And as Midland grows, I dream of a community where everyone feels connected, seen, and heard. I want my kids to know they have a safe, supportive, inclusive, and friendly community here. In my role, I aim to make learner paths and assets visible and accessible to everyone. It’s a charge we all feel at the Community Foundation, working with partners across the community to create a place where everyone can be their authentic selves. It’s possible, and we have a lot of people who already feel that way. But we strive to elevate all voices, especially those on the margins, to ensure our community reflects everyone’s needs. This is what drives us at the Community Foundation.”
