In September 2001, DeDe Esque joined the Nokomis Foundation, a private fund dedicated to women and girls’ issues in the West Michigan area. She began her service as the Program Officer and moved into the role of Manager of Operations and Grantmaking as the foundation embarked on a two-year renewal process in 2005. She currently holds the lead role for the organization as the foundation’s work continues with a rejuvenated and more intentional focus on advocacy.

She became involved with the Nokomis Foundation through her participation on the foundation’s Grant Committee and Prostitution Round Table. Her previous work life was concentrated in the world of human resources, training and organizational development with Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third), Merchants National Corporation (now National City) and Hudson’s (now Marshall Fields), with additional experience in consulting and outside sales.

Within her local community she serves as President of a newly re-forming League of Women Voters; a member of the Advisory Committee for a Young Women’s Leadership Academy also in the formation stages; a member of the Johnson Center’s Technical Assistance Fund; a member of the YWCA’s Tribute Steering Committee; and Board member for Nourishing Ways West Michigan. She has also served in a variety of other capacities: as a Board member for the Progressive Women’s Alliance; as a Board member for Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan; a member of the Development Committee for the YWCA; a member of the Transitional Housing Council for Dwelling Place; and as a member of the Adult Community Investment Council for the United Way.

When not working within the women’s community, she dedicates her time to the issue of racism as a certified facilitator for the Institutes for Healing Racism; as a trainer to other facilitators; and has served as Co-chairperson for the Youth Summit on Healing Racism. She was awarded the 2006 Woman of E-Quality Award (Women’s Resource Center) and was recently profiled in her local paper for the work she has done as an activist in the women’s community.

DeDe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business where she has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alumni Association.