Blandford Nature Center is thrilled to announce that it has named Stacy Stout as its President and CEO.
Stout, who lives in Grand Rapids, currently serves as the director of family-centered
philanthropy at the Steelcase Foundation, leading the 10-year, $10 million Investment In
Families Initiative - a participatory research project centering a cohort of 30 family leaders and
partnering with several community organizations to identify systemic change needed to serve
Michigan families better and to have a deeper understanding of the needs and goals of families
overtime.
“She’s exactly the leader we need to help us write Blandford’s next chapter,” said board
chairman Matt Cook. “The board feels that her experience in philanthropy, organizational culture
and leadership makes her a perfect fit.”
Stout’s work experience also includes director of equity and engagement for the City of Grand
Rapids, program manager at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, dean of students for Grand Rapids
Public Schools’ Burton Middle School, and education director at the Hispanic Center of Western
Michigan.
“Blandford’s vision of a thriving and diverse community supporting the natural world resonates
with me,” she said. “This opportunity aligns with my professional experience but also feels like a
personal calling to nurture community connections with nature, cultivate inclusive environmental
education, and steward this beloved organization with integrity and vision.”
Stout’s leadership is additionally demonstrated in her service on several community boards,
including Seeding Justice Grand Rapids, Council of Michigan Foundations’ Latinx Affinity
Network, K-Connect, and the Latina Network of West Michigan.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public administration from
Grand Valley State University. Stout will assume her new role on October 27.
