IFC Hires New Executive Director

The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) is pleased to announce the selection of Michael Reinke as their new executive director. After a nationwide search and applications from over 100 candidates, Michael was appointed by the Board of Directors to replace retiring executive director John Dorward. He will begin his leadership role at IFC on August 17. John and Michael will be working together to ensure a smooth transition until the ribbon cutting for the new IFC @ SECU Community House in Chapel Hill on September 21. After September 21, John will move to a volunteer role within the organization.

“I am delighted to hand over the organization to such an accomplished and caring individual. I believe Michael is a wonderful fit and that he brings a great set of skills to further the work of the IFC. There is a lot of work to get accomplished over the next few years and Michael certainly has the background to get it done. I look forward to offering whatever assistance I can to Michael,” said John Dorward.

As Michael stated in his application to IFC, “I began providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness in my senior year in high school when I worked the evening shift for a shelter operating out of our church. After college, working to end poverty became my vocation. Over the past 20 years, I have served as executive director of four local and statewide nonprofit organizations, and as director of development for institutions both of higher education and health care. This professional experience, coupled with my graduate education (an M.B.A. and a Master of Divinity), have equipped me to serve as the Executive Director, yet it is my lifelong passion for working with and on behalf of individuals and families who are most at risk and most vulnerable that inspires my application.” Michael continued, “While my administrative and executive experience has prepared me to lead the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, it is my commitment to social justice that is the best measure of my fit for this position.”

Michael lives in Durham and has been working with organizations addressing the issue of poverty in America for the past 28 years. He has had the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Holy Trinity Neighborhood Center in New York City, Shelter, Inc. in southern Indiana, the United Way of Monroe County, and the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues. He currently serves as the Director of Development for the Sanford School of Public Policy which has raised more than $50,000,000 as part of Duke University’s Duke Forward Campaign. Michael is a graduate from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts, Union Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity, and Western Washington University with a Masters in Business Administration.

Michael has two daughters and is married to Lauren Winner.