Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently welcomed two new members to our Board of Trustees: Mercedes Barragan and Tim Long. Both Barragan and Long's terms as trustees began January 1, 2025.
The Board of Trustees serves West Michigan by guiding the Community Foundation to carry out its mission and North Star. The North Star states: “For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.”
Meet Mercedes Barragan
Mercedes Barragan, global inclusion and diversity manager for Dematic, is a longtime partner who currently serves as co-chair of the Fund for Community Good. With our Fund for Community Good (unrestricted) and field of interest fund assets, the Community Foundation invests in partners who share our commitment to becoming actively anti-racist. See recent grants awarded.
Get to know Mercedes:
- Favorite local festival or celebration: Celebration of Soul
- Place to send out-of-towners: Frederik Meijer Gardens
- She said, "giving back is important to me because our community is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
Meet Tim Long
Tim Long, managing director, wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, is a professional advisor partner of the Community Foundation. Many of our relationships with donor partners are initiated through an introduction from a professional advisor who works closely on gifts to benefit the community.
Get to know Tim:
- Currently serves as a Board Member for Hope College, and is a Co-Chair of the Board of Governors at the Van Andel Institute
- Tim enjoys running and has finished 10 marathons, including the Boston Marathon
Volunteer partners on a number of committees help make the Community Foundation's impact possible. See all members of the Board of Trustees and other committees on our Trustees and Committees page.