West Michigan Sports Commission Hires Barbara Benda as Director of Development

    The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) hired fundraising expert Barbara Benda to fill a new position as director of development. In this newly created position, Benda is focusing on supporting the $13.5 million expansion campaign for the Meijer Sports Complex and on overall development work for the WMSC.

    Bringing 25-plus years of fundraising experience, Benda comes to the WMSC after seven years at Ferris State University, where she was executive director of leadership giving and relationships and then added the role of associate director of the Ferris Foundation. As a professional fundraiser, her work also includes the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. Benda is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and received her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University.

    “Joining the West Michigan Sports Commission as director of development, I am excited about creating opportunities to enrich lives and develop partnerships in our community through sports. I am honored to contribute to the WMSC’s mission,” said Benda.