KDK-Harman Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 21, 2009 — KDK-Harman Foundation, an Austin-based family foundation focused on funding education, has named Jennifer M. Esterline executive director, responsible for all aspects of the Foundation’s grantmaking and other activities. The appointment is effective October 5, 2009.

“Jennifer has really proven herself as a leader in our organization and community,” Janet E. Harman, KDK-Harman president and founder, said. “She truly understands philanthropy and ways in which to make a significant impact in the Central Texas region. In three short years, Jennifer has earned this promotion. I am very proud of all she has accomplished.”

The appointment comes at the same time as Jacqueline S. Mata, Chief Operating Officer, announces her departure to pursue a career with JP Morgan in Austin, Texas. Mata was founding executive director upon inception of the Foundation and was promoted to chief operating officer in September 2008. “Jackie was instrumental in the development of the infrastructure and overall organizational systems of the Foundation. Jackie has made outstanding contributions to both the KDK-Harman Foundation and the Harman family office during the past five years. We congratulate her on her new position and wish her all the best at JP Morgan, as she returns to her wealth management roots.”

“I am honored and thrilled to assist KDK-Harman Foundation in all elements of its high-engagement approach in this new role as executive director,” Esterline said. “I look forward to continuing to nurture our strong partnerships with our grantees, as well as other grantmakers and education stakeholders, and to build on the Foundation’s successes to date.”

Esterline’s promotion signals the rapid growth of Central Texas’ 13th largest family philanthropy, which was founded nearly five years ago by Harman. Consultant Erica V. Ekwurzel will continue to serve the Foundation’s grantees with her in-depth consulting and technical assistance services.

Esterline will be in charge of all aspects of the Foundation’s grantmaking, including handling all grant inquiries, researching and managing grant requests, and making grant recommendations to the Foundation’s board of directors. She also will continue to work closely with grantees to manage, evaluate, and report on grant performance once the grants have been approved by the board.

Ekwurzel, the Foundation’s on-staff Consultant, manages advocacy outreach efforts and operates KDK-Harman Consulting. In her advocacy role, Ekwurzel coordinates the Foundation’s public policy outreach activities and collaboration efforts, specifically in the areas of education issues, ensuring the integration of said activities into the ongoing work of KDK-Harman. As Consultant, Ekwurzel provides individualized technical capacity-building support to the Foundation’s grantee portfolio extending from fund development, volunteer management, research and data analysis to communications consulting.

As a change agent, KDK-Harman Foundation seeks to do more than just make grants; the Foundation seeks to break down the barriers standing in the way of nonprofit success. KDK-Harman Foundation is committed to opening up new conversations, embracing new transparency and accountability, and giving nonprofits the support they need to succeed.

About KDK-Harman Foundation

KDK-Harman Foundation was founded by Janet E. Harman in December 2004. The Foundation provides financial and capacity-building resources to education-focused nonprofits that assist disadvantaged Central Texas families, with a focus on women, to help them achieve educational success. The ultimate goal of such funding is to transform their lives from poverty to financial independence to enable a better life for themselves and future generations. The Foundation supports programs within Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet and Llano counties.