For Immediate Release: June 14, 2007.

For Information Contact: Mary O'Connell, 312/782 2464.

The Joyce Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly McMorris as its new Communications Officer. In this role, McMorris will work with Communications Director Mary O’Connell in developing and executing strategic communications initiatives in support of the Foundation’s work.

McMorris has an extensive communications background, most recently serving as Public Information Officer for the City of Chicago’s Department of Human Resources. In that role, she oversaw the department’s public relations programs and served as its Freedom of Information Act Officer regarding city policy and practice in the area of employment.

“We’re delighted to welcome Kimberly,” said Joyce President Ellen S. Alberding. “We know that she will bring significant new capacity to improve our communications and support our mission of improving the quality of life in the Great Lakes region.”

Previously, McMorris served as Associate Deputy Director of Communications for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services where she led crisis communication efforts and marketing programs to address child welfare issues. She was instrumental in the development of the Water Wise Drowning Prevention Campaign, Illinois Celebrates Adoption and the Illinois Heart Gallery. McMorris has also held the position of Communications Coordinator for the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) where she worked with communities throughout Illinois to develop communication strategies to promote violence prevention as a way of life. At IVPA, McMorris marketed the Imagine Peace and Harmony violence prevention program which encourages school-aged children to be peacemakers in their homes, schools, and communities. Prior to that, she served as Senior Grant Writer for the Chicago Housing Authority.

McMorris holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, both from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Based in Chicago with assets of $935 million, the Joyce Foundation supports efforts to strengthen public policies in ways that improve the quality of life in the Midwest region.