Will Oldford is all about family and giving back to the community. Inspired by his dad’s dedication to the Boy Scouts, Will’s journey into community service began, forming the foundation for a story of philanthropy and leadership. “My Dad spent much of his time working to advance and improve that organization,’ Oldford said.

In 1999, Will began his involvement with the Community Foundation as an advisor for the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) alongside Karen Lee. “We would meet once a month at the St. Clair Inn to review grant applications.  I recall a meeting where the superintendent of Port Huron Schools, Bill Kimball, made a presentation for a grant.  The YAC members asked several good but difficult questions and ended up turning down the grant request.  I was pleasantly surprised at the strength and wisdom the YAC showed.”

In 2004, Will began his first term as a board member of the Community Foundation, and in the years since, he has served on several committees like Governance, Finance, and Grants.  A founding member of C3, he currently serves as the Foundation’s Treasurer.

Randy Maiers, the President & CEO of the Community Foundation, acknowledges Will’s enduring dedication, stating, “Will is one of our longest-serving board members, and with each passing year, his natural leadership skills and passion for his community become stronger and more evident.”

For Will, the longevity of his involvement with the Foundation allows him to witness firsthand the difference that philanthropy makes.  “I genuinely enjoy working on a project, grant, or an investment and seeing it come together, knowing that only the Community Foundation could have made it happen,” he said, “Such as the Courtyard at the Riverview Plaza in St. Clair or even the parking lot project the Foundation completed in 2022.”

Will also acknowledges the men and women who started the Foundation 80 years ago. “I take great pride in the foresight we apply today to guarantee the Foundation’s strength and prosperity for the next 80 years,” shared Oldford. Additionally, he acknowledges his close friend Donna Niester as a contemporary role model and a longstanding source of inspiration. “Ever since I met her, and as others who know her would say, she has inspired me to make St. Clair County a better place,” he added.

As President & CEO at Eastern Michigan Bank, Will navigates a demanding 9-to-5 role. Beyond his professional commitments, he tries to keep life simple, cherishing moments with family and friends, and he tries to travel a couple of times a year.

Amid the challenges posed by COVID-19, Will’s wife made a significant career shift, leaving her role as a paralegal to follow her dream of opening a women’s boutique in downtown St. Clair, Amunni Boutique. Their son lives in Detroit, where he works for Merrill Lynch, while their daughter, a recent graduate from Michigan State, is beginning her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management.

Beyond the Foundation, Will is a strong advocate for the YMCA and St. Clair County Community College. “Those three organizations are anchors to this region,” he said.  “And they have a history that goes back decades.” 

The Community Foundation’s upcoming 80th Anniversary celebration on May 16th is brought to you by Eastern Michigan Bank, “I am looking forward to celebrating with our community what we have accomplished together over these last 80 years,” he shares, inviting everyone to join in commemorating a legacy of giving, growth, and community strength. For more information about the 80th Anniversary celebration, including tickets and tables, visit https://stclairfoundation.org/80th-anniversary-evening/ and be part of a celebration that echoes through the decades.