Janessa Smit, '08, has been hired as the first Executive Director of the Hudsonville Education Foundation. The Hudsonville Education Foundation (HEF) is a 501c3 public charity created in 2004 to foster educational opportunities for Hudsonville Public Schools students by providing funding for resources that enhance education and encourage innovation in learning. The endowment fund is held at the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation and are used annually to provide teacher grants, fund district projects, and award student scholarships. Adding a dedicated HEF employee has been a longtime goal for the organization and the Board of Directors are so proud to have reached this milestone. Janessa has 20 years of combined experience in nonprofit organization management, program development, community leadership and fundraising. She holds a B.S. in Political Science from Grand Valley State University. Janessa previously served as the Executive Director of the Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce.  Janessa is humbled and excited by the opportunity to serve an organization that makes such a positive impact in the lives of children. Hudsonville is a generous community rooted in philanthropy that prioritizes student education! She and her husband, Tim, reside in Hudsonville and have two elementary-aged students who attend Hudsonville Public Schools. To make a contribution to the Hudsonville Education Foundation, go to www.hudsonvilleeducationfoundation.org and click on the donate tab or give directly through the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation. Checks can be mailed to the Hudsonville Education Foundation at 3886 VanBuren Street Hudsonville, MI 49426.