Wendelken to join RMH Foundation

Janet Wendelken has accepted the position of development officer with the RMH Foundation.

In her new role, Wendelken will oversee the Foundation’s direct mail program, employee giving campaign, annual phone-a-thon, and outreach to the business community.

“I could not be more excited to have Janet join our team,” said incoming RMH Foundation Executive Director Cory Davies. “Janet has a true passion to do everything she can in her daily work to help our community thrive. That, coupled with her wealth of experience, will have a tremendous impact on the mission the RMH Foundation serves.”

Wendelken has served as the executive director of the Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. (REFI) since 2008. Prior to that she worked as the director of Corporate and Foundation Giving at James Madison University; as manager of Communication, Community Relations and Guest Relations at Coors Brewing Co. – Shenandoah; and as executive vice president of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.

“I strongly believe that RMH is a valued resource and critically important to our community,” said Wendelken. “I look forward to joining the RMH Foundation team to develop relationships, make strong connections, and gain lasting support for Rockingham Memorial Hospital.”

Wendelken brings a diversity of experience and achievement to this role. In her work at JMU, Wendelken met a $1.5 million goal in funds raised by her second year of employment. At Coors, she developed and led all communication strategies for the start-up of Coors in the Valley. While serving with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, she grew membership from 500 to 628 members and increased the budget from $80,000 to $190,000 through membership sales and fundraising.

Wendelken holds a master of science degree in English education from Old Dominion University and a bachelor of science degree in English and education from Longwood College.

She is a past president and current member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Shenandoah Valley Chapter), a past board president of the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, and this year received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award presented by the Shenandoah Valley Hit Newspaper.

She and her husband, David, live in Harrisonburg and have one daughter, Kathryn.