Michele Mackey. Photo supplied.

Forward Community Investments has announced that Michele Mackey has been named Interim CEO through an innovative resource sharing arrangement with Kids Forward.

“I am honored to be working with FCI’s incredible team at this time. Some have called COVID-19 the great equalizer. This is not true. We are all witnessing the burden carried by the most marginalized members of our society,” Mackey said in a press release. “As organizational leaders, we have an opportunity to align our resources and expertise, to begin dismantling inequitable structures and systems, and to create a just and healthy future that is shared by all.”

Mackey had previously served as FCI Managing Director of Community Development from 2015-16. Since then, Mackey has been the Chief Operating Officer of Kids Foward where she has led the statewide policy center and drove the strategic vision for the organization’s internal and external equity work.

“This is an exciting opportunity to join forces with FCI in advancing our shared missions to address Wisconsin’s shameful racial disparities. To advance equity and justice, we must be willing to work differently and partner with others,” Jacquie Bogess, Kids Forward Board President, said in a news release.

Mackey earned a bachelor’s of science in math/computer science, a bachelor’s of arts in economics, a J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame. She also earned a master’s of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She brings over years of blended leadership experience in organizational management, program administration, social justice, and financial analysis to FCI.