Flinn Foundation has a new Chief Financial Officer

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is excited to announce that Julie Ermler, former Vice President of Finance and Administration of the Hudson-Webber Foundation, joined the Foundation as Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2022 to succeed retired Chief Investment Officer, Leonard Smith.

Julie Ermler brings more than 25 years of finance, accounting, investment, tax, human resources, and administrative experience. After obtaining her MBA from Wayne State University, Ermler started her financial professional career as an auditor at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She worked at The Skillman Foundation as Accounting Manager. She joined the Hudson-Webber Foundation in 2008 as Director of Finance and became Vice President of Finance and Administration in 2015, where she participated in the day-to-day leadership of the organization to help achieve its mission.

Ermler has served as a member of the Foundation Financial Officers Group, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, and served two terms as an audit committee member of the Council of Michigan Foundations. She is a member of Leadership Detroit Class XXXII.

“The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation plays an invaluable role in the mental health community especially during these past two years, which has been difficult for so many individuals, communities, and mental health service organizations in Michigan,” Ermler said. “I look forward to contributing to the success of the Flinn Foundation’s mission to improve mental health services and supports in our community.”

“We are so thrilled to have Julie on board as CFO.  I worked with her at Skillman and know that we are in good hands. Julie brings exceptional financial and investment expertise, integrity and dedication to the Flinn Foundation,” said CEO Andrea Cole.

Leonard W. Smith provided 44 years of dedicated service to the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation.  Mr. Smith initially served as the Foundation’s legal counsel.  In 1977, he was elected as Trustee Secretary and Foundation Manager.  Upon Ethel W. Flinn’s death on March 6, 1994, Leonard became the Foundation’s President and Board Chair.  He was elected Chief Investment Officer in 2007 and provided diligent stewardship of the Foundation’s endowment until his retirement on December 31, 2021. “We are thankful to benefit from Leonard’s continued knowledge and wisdom as he has agreed to serve as a valuable member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees”, said Cole.