After 20 years with CFECI, Joan Dixon ’73 retires as President and CEO

January 11, 2021



Joan Dixon ’73, president and CEO of Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, is retiring in June after 20 years in the role. Joan's run as CEO includes phenomenal growth in nonprofit organizations helped, from about 10 to nearly 150 a year, and a geographical expansion. What had been just a Champaign County foundation now covers nine counties. 



"I had a good, long run at the foundation, and I think we've been able to do a lot of good work to benefit our area. I'm very confident that my successor is going to be bringing new blood and some innovation to what we do," said Joan, who has lived in Champaign nearly all of her life. 



Joan never intended to run an organization that manages and administers millions of dollars in endowed funds. She attended Rosary College (now Dominican University) in suburban Chicago, intending to become a stage manager or to teach theater history. 



After earning a master's degree from the University of Illinois, Joan went to work at the American Oil Chemists' Society in Champaign and then became senior director of allied services at Christie Clinic. Joan later joined the Community Foundation board and the foundation has seen great growth. 



Read more: She’s leaving a strong foundation