With overwhelming gratitude, Deaconess Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being’s Board of Directors honor the Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson’s nine years of service to the children of the St. Louis region as president and chief executive officer of Deaconess Foundation. Throughout his time with us, Dr. Wilson embodied the Deaconess mission, vision and values while leading our community in reimagining the role of philanthropy in the long freedom struggle.
 
With Starsky at the helm, Deaconess evolved from a grantmaking organization into an institutional advocate for child well-being and racial justice. In transforming our capacity building grantmaking, championing racial equity, trailblazing faith-inspired advocacy and erecting Deaconess Center, Wilson built movement infrastructure for our region’s future. As Dr. Wilson departs for the nation’s strongest, most effective voice for children, the Children’s Defense Fund, we are excited that our region’s youth will continue to benefit from his principled and visionary leadership.
 
In the coming weeks, the Foundation Board will appoint a transition committee and facilitate the national search for our next president and chief executive officer. We are pleased to do so with a remarkable staff, clear vision and strategy, and healthy organizational partnerships.
 
For our children,
 
Rudolph Nickens, Jr.                              Cheryl D.S. Walker, Esq.
Chair, Board of Trustees                      President, Board of Directors
Deaconess Foundation                        Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being