Maria Miller appointed interim president and CEO of The War Memorial
Miller’s appointment follows the announcement of Charles Burke being named president and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Maria Miller, chief financial officer of The War Memorial, has been appointed interim president and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2023.
Miller’s appointment was upon the recommendation of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Donna Hoban, M.D.
“The War Memorial will greatly benefit from Maria’s energy and commitment to the institution and its community,” Hoban said. “Her knowledge as a financial leader in the non-profit area will provide vision and continuity over this transition. I am grateful for her willingness to step into this role.”
Miller will continue to serve in both capacities until the successful replacement of a permanent president and CEO for The Fred M. Alger Center at The War Memorial, its Community Foundation, and Les Braves Park and Gardens ― scheduled to open spring 2023.
Miller joined The War Memorial team in March of 2022 having been a financial leader in the non-profit sector for 20 years, most recently as vice president of finance at Beaumont Health. At Beaumont, Miller oversaw finance for the Beaumont Grosse Pointe campus, successfully leading the hospital to favorable financial results on operations. Maria additionally led finance for the system’s diversified operations, including up to a dozen of distinct off-campus business lines worth $700 million.
During her 10 months with The War Memorial, Miller has stabilized the finance structure, automating, and streamlining functions for maximum efficiencies. She has established the financial framework for the upcoming community foundation.
“I’m extremely humbled and grateful to the board of directors for their faith in me as interim CEO,” Miller said. “I am excited to continue the vision set forth by the board and leadership at TWM and look forward to partnering with our community to continue to provide memorable experiences.”
Newly appointed President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Charles Burke has served as leader of The War Memorial since 2014. His work has empowered the total transformation of The War Memorial as a regional impact organization welcoming more than 300,000 patrons with over 3,000 events annually, all while incubating more than 65 non-profit organizations. Several new and innovative programs were envisioned under his leadership, including significant growth in all aspects of the institution’s diverse array of sustainable business lines, including community engagement through arts and cultural events and classes; thought-provoking humanities programming; online and television broadcasts; strategic alignments with the nonprofit sector; premiere hospitality events and services; endowment and governance administration; and brand advancement.
Rounding his tenure, Burke’s leadership led the institution to receiving a Top Workplace award by the Detroit Free Press at the end of 2022. The War Memorial placed 11 out of 90 small businesses in the State of Michigan/
“Charles has done an admirable job leading The War Memorial, and I am grateful for his vision and service to the institution and his enduring commitment to the community,” Hoban said. “Collectively, we are eternally grateful for his impactful tenure championing The War Memorial.”
Additionally, Nikki Charbonneau, who was named chief administrative officer in May of 2021, has been promoted to chief operating officer.
For the last 20 months, Charbonneau has overseen the management of all day-to-day operation, including Hospitality, Facilities, Community Engagement and Human Resources. She has been an instrumental member of the renovation and completion of the Fred M. Alger Center at The War Memorial and has worked with Burke to indemnify the institution’s vision, mission, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Charbonneau has been with The War Memorial since 2016, additionally serving as vice president of hospitality and patron experience.
“I am lucky to have this amazing staff at TWM and am eager to collaborate with them,” Miller expressed. “I am confident my life experiences and passion to serve the community with integrity and grace will benefit this incredible institution and all that is in store for the future.”
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, is an experiential space open to everyone from everywhere. For more than 70 years, it has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Its unique environment attracts more than 3,000 events and 250,000 visitors annually while offering premier hospitality services for community and private gatherings. Its diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live and virtual engagement experiences for adults and children. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. Numerous patriotic and veterans’ events are held as well as history and civics offerings on the origin, traditions, and challenges facing American democracy. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
CONTACT:
Da’Stanza Murphy, The War Memorial
Director of Communications
313.332.4053, dmurphy@warmemorial.org
John VanderHaagen, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Director of Communications
616.975.3180, jvanderhaagen@meijergardens.org