Focus: HOPE Transitions Leadership Team

Josaitis to Lead Major Fund Raising Effort, Cooley to Become CEO

Eleanor Josaitis, CEO and co-founder of Focus: HOPE, will take on a new challenge as part of a planned leadership transition at Focus: HOPE, the nationally-known civil and human rights organization. Josaitis will assume leadership of a major fund raising initiative designed to strengthen the organization's nationally recognized programs for the future.

Keith Cooley, who has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2002, will become Chief Executive Officer. Replacing Cooley as COO will be Tim Duperron, who had served as COO for four years and has since served as Executive Advisor to Josaitis and Cooley. Josaitis will continue to serve on the Focus: HOPE Board of Directors.

The leadership changes, approved by the Board of Directors on January 31, take effect March 1.

A passionate advocate for civil rights, Josaitis has played a pivotal role in establishing programs to fight racism and poverty during 37 years leading Focus: HOPE. Together with the late Father William Cunningham, who co-founded Focus: HOPE with Josaitis, the organization started education and training programs that have opened career opportunities for thousands of talented men and women. The organization's food program, established by national legislation after persistent lobbying by the co-founders, provides commodity foods to 43,000 women, children and senior citizens each month and is replicated in 32 states.

It is with similar determination and persistence that Josaitis will take on this new challenge. “Focus: HOPE has made a difference for thousands of people, and we will continue to do so,” she said. “I promised Father Cunningham that I would make his work live on – and I can think of no better way of doing that than by leading a fund raising initiative that provides resources necessary to expand our programs.”

Cooley and Duperron, both of whom come from executive leadership backgrounds in the automotive industry, will team up to strengthen existing programs and launch new initiatives. Cooley worked in research, engineering and strategic planning at General Motors for 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with two degrees in engineering. Duperron joined Focus: HOPE in 1998 after retiring from a 34-year career at Ford Motor Company.

The Strategic Plan developed under Cooley's leadership will expand career training programs and other opportunities. “It is our mission to break down racial barriers, primarily by helping historically under represented groups gain access to good jobs and opportunities,” he said. “We will devote all our energy to making that happen and ensuring that Focus: HOPE continues to have a positive impact on employment and economic opportunity in southeast Michigan .”

William Brodhead, chairman of the Focus: HOPE Board of Directors, said the shifting of responsibilities will strengthen the organization for the future. “Eleanor, Keith and Tim are totally committed to the mission of Focus: HOPE, and we know that they will work very hard in their respective new roles to ensure the success of the organization.”

Since its founding in 1968, Focus: HOPE's mission has been to “use intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice.” In addition to the food and education programs, the organization has child care center, business conference facilities, community arts projects, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives. Through Focus: HOPE, thousands of individuals – especially women and minorities – have become financially independent. www.focushope.edu .