Dr. Susan Jenkins began her tenure as first executive director of the newly created Cherokee Preservation Foundation on Jan. 14.

“The function of the Foundation will be to seed good ideas and help locate venture capital,” Jenkins said. “We may want to think in terms of some initiatives and some capacity grants for non-profits. We are not an end all. It will be our job to build the capacity of local non-profits.”

The Cherokee Foundation was created in November 2000 by amendment to the State Compact between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the state of North Carolina. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve and enhance the economic development; cultural heritage; natural, physical and aesthetic environment; education; health; and overall well-being of the tribe.

According to Dr. Myron L. Coulter, chairman of the board of the Cherokee Foundation, more than 90 applicants from 24 states applied for the position. Coulter said it was an outstanding field of applicants and choosing a director was a challenging process.

“Dr. Jenkins’ rich background in philanthropic enterprises and non-profits, plus her personality and experience in rural development, make her a great fit,” Coulter said.

Before accepting the position with the Cherokee Foundation, Jenkins was the Senior Program Officer for the Hitachi Foundation in Washington D.C. Jenkins has also served as Program Officer for the Kellogg Foun-dation and as a rural health policy analyst for the Institute of Community and Area Development at the University of Georgia.

Jenkins, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma, received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University; her master’s from the University of Kentucky; and a doctorate of sociology from the University of Georgia.

“I am delighted with the appointment of Dr. Jenkins as our first executive director,” said Principal Chief Leon Jones. “Her record of successful foundation leadership and her Native American heritage are great assets for leading the programs that will benefit my people.”

Jenkins, who has purchased a home in Waynesville, is anxious to get to work. She plans to begin advertising for a financial officer/human resources director, executive assistant/grants manager, and program director by February. She hopes to fill the positions by March or April and begin processing grants within six months to a year.

She called her appointment a “wonderful opportunity and challenge. It will be really exciting, nurturing and guiding something totally new. The mission of the Foundation is quite broad and will allow growth in many directions.”

Since about half the enrolled members live off the reservation, the Foundation will work hard to develop collaborative efforts in those communities, Jenkins said.

“The program director will also be a community developer,” she said.

Jenkins said she really didn’t know, at this time, what the finished product would look like, but she knew the process.

“I always envisioned my next move to be to head a small foundation.”

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation will receive at least $5 million annually and a maximum of $10 million. The amount is based on a percentage of net gaming revenues. Dr. Jenkins salary is set at $95,000 per year.