I recently lost an exemplary board member, Ken Daly, who some of our CEOs might recall led the CEO-Board session at CEO Summit 2015. Ken served the Lutheran Services in America board of directors with great commitment and a profound faith in God. He brought deep expertise having served as a senior partner at KPMG and as CEO of the National Association of Corporate Directors, a nonprofit association that advocates for best practices in corporate governance.
Ken connected his faith in God with the work of Lutheran social ministry on the ground. What I remember most about Ken is the sense of joy he brought to all of us. Ken cared deeply about people and was someone who always lifted you up, always made your day brighter, and always made you better. His sense of humor was contagious and his wealth of almost unbelievable stories kept you smiling and inspired.
For those who had the honor of knowing Ken, he was an extremely generous man with an exceptional gift for recognizing potential in people and organizations. He was a tireless ambassador who seemed to know just about everyone and to generously connect us and our members to leaders in healthcare, business and philanthropy who opened up doors and resources for Lutheran social ministry. Ken was particularly passionate in his support for the Lutheran Services in America Results Innovation Lab, to which he generously made a three-year commitment to help achieve our goal to improve the lives of 20,000 children and youth by 2024 so they can grow up to be healthy productive adults. Ken felt deeply that every child deserved to have the opportunity to thrive. This year alone, over 45 leaders in our network who work with almost 9,000 children and youth participated in the program that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth.
I’m blessed to have a strong board of directors at Lutheran Services in America, but there’s an empty seat at the table. Ken will be greatly missed but not forgotten because his legacy lives on in our hearts and in the difference he made in the lives of so many.
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path Gad laid for me
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
— “I’m Free,” by anonymous author
By Charlotte Haberaecker, President & CEO
