Gulfport, MS (August 25, 2022) – The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) today announced Paul D. Guichet, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, will be retiring effective December 31, 2022. Additionally, during its August meeting, the GCCF Board of Directors elected Christen Duhé, Ed.D, as President and Executive Director beginning October 3, 2022.
“Paul’s deep commitment and experience as a GCCF Board member, and his executive leadership, provided our organization the stability we needed through the pandemic,” said Rodger Wilder, President and CEO.
During Paul’s tenure as COO and Executive Director with GCCF, the organization grew 33% in its efforts of promoting charitable giving, empowering donors, and improving quality of life by facilitating investment in a variety of charitable causes in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George Counties. In his senior leadership position, Paul oversaw GCCF’s donor development, distribution of charitable grants, and educational scholarships. In addition, Paul directed the integration of an advanced operating system significantly enhancing GCCF’s efficiencies encompassing fund accounting, grant and scholarship processing, donor portal and online donations performance. He previously served 14 years on GCCF’s Board of Directors and held several leadership positions including Board Chair, Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair.
Duhé, an award-winning public relations professional with more than 14 years of experience in business development, financial operations and human resources, will leave her post as Associate Vice President of Institutional Relations at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and join GCCF. Duhé’s leadership at MGCCC, coupled with her volunteerism with a variety of organizations including Lighthouse Business and Professional Women, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of South MS among others, will foster community collaborations and help increase awareness of GCCF’s regional impact through legacy gifts that improve the quality of life for residents of Mississippi’s lower six counties.
“We are struck by Christen’s deep love for the Coast and her passion for connecting community resources to the needs that hinder quality of life for Mississippi residents,” said David Vincent, 2022 GCCF Board Chair. “Her reputation as a creative, results-oriented leader has preceded her and will help pave the way in continuing GCCF’s philanthropic efforts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
About the Gulf Coast Community Foundation:
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation is a non-profit public charity serving the people of South Mississippi since 1989. The Foundation’s primary mission is to increase philanthropy by assisting donors establish endowments and legacy giving plans, making grants to worthy causes, and providing leadership in response to the community’s changing needs.