Griswell joined the foundation as president in 2008 after a long career at Principal Financial Group Inc. He transitioned to CEO in July 2011, allowing Kristi Knous to step in as president as part of a succession plan. 

Knous, who has been with the Community Foundation since 2002, will remain president, which will become the highest position in the organization. 

Griswell, in an interview with the Business Record earlier this year, said that he had identified Knous as a possible successor as leader of the foundation early on in his tenure.

“I told her (when I took over), ‘You’ve got great talent, I think you have the ability to rise in this organization, and we’ll work with you and help you and I’ll do everything I can to give you that chance,'” Griswell said. He said today, in a press release, “I look forward to watching the continued success and growth of the Community Foundation under Kristi’s leadership.”

The foundation also announced that Cara Heiden will succeed Allison Fleming as the board chair and Richard Deming will succeed H. Lynn Horak as vice chair effective in the new year.