Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Suzie Light, executive director of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, was honored at the annual meeting of the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, in Indianapolis, when she received the Alliance's Hazelett Award for leadership in grantmaking.
The award recognizes leaders in the field of philanthropy in memory of Susie Hazelett, former executive director of the Randall L. Tobias Foundation and the Rush County Community Foundation. The recipient is one who embodies the characteristics of "a giving spirit displayed by mentoring and nurturing professional development in others; a giver - of time, talent and treasure; and a strong professional with the highest of standards, integrity and creativity."
The award was presented to Light by Beth Casselman, executive director of the Clowes Fund Inc., an active member of the Alliance and a close friend of Hazelett. Casselman emphasized the personal and professional traits that Light and Hazelett shared. She said, "There were many outstanding nominees for this year's award, but Suzie Light so embodied the characteristics the award was intended to recognize, that she was the overwhelming choice." She cited the growth of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation under Light's leadership (from $400,000 in assets in 1993 to more than $30 million in assets in 2006), her active mentoring of others in the field of philanthropy and her participation in many aspects of the Grantmakers Alliance's programs in Indiana. Light also was recognized for her service on the boards of the Health Care Foundation, Kosciusko County Senior Services, Kiwanis and Catholic Charities.
Light's mother, Savina Kralis, also was present for the award presentation, and, in her acceptance remarks, Suzie recognized the positive impact that her parents and family had in encouraging her to pursue her work with the Community Foundation. Hazelett's mother and husband also attended the dinner and added their congratulations to Light for being honored by the Alliance.
