FLINT, Michigan, April 1, 2025 – Ruth Mott Foundation President Raquel Thueme has announced her intent to retire by Sept. 30 or when a successor is named, paving the way for a new leader to carry out the Foundation’s next strategic plan.
With profound gratitude for her six years as president, the Board of Trustees has accepted her well-deserved retirement and wishes her well on her next chapter.
Thueme made key contributions to the organization’s evolution throughout her 14-year tenure. She was hired in 2011 as program director and promoted to vice president of programs in 2016. She was named president in November 2018.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Raquel. Her vision, competence, and commitment to building meaningful relationships with the community have left an indelible mark on this organization,” said Maryanne Mott, board chair and daughter of the late Ruth Rawlings and Charles Stewart Mott. “We are deeply grateful for the passion and strategic insight she brought to us and are confident that her legacy will continue to guide us in the future.”
Thueme has announced her retirement as the Foundation is set to begin strategic planning later this year. The strategic plan will be informed by a series of community forums to be held in April and May that are designed to gather input from Flint residents.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve the community, work alongside such talented and passionate individuals, and help guide the organization through transformative change,” Thueme said. “The timing of our upcoming strategic planning creates a natural pivot point for me to exit, allowing a new president to execute the future strategy with their own energy and vision.”
With Thueme’s announcement, the Board of Trustees is developing a plan to name her successor.
Under Thueme’s leadership, community engagement, Trust-Based Philanthropy, and equity emerged as essential features of the Foundation’s 10-year strategic plan. Thueme also oversaw the implementation of a new theme of civic engagement for community programs at Applewood, the historic Flint estate of automotive pioneer C.S. Mott. The Ruth Mott Foundation operates Applewood as a place of learning, gathering, and community outreach in accordance with the wishes of its founder.
Some of her other accomplishments as president include:
- Worked with the Board on newly refreshed mission, vision, and values that reflect a commitment to equity and seeing Flint thrive.
- Completed significant capital projects to increase visitor amenities and enhance the visitor experience as part of the Applewood master plan.
- Was a founding member of the Greater Flint Taskforce on Racial and Social Equity, formed to reduce disparities during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Created the Foundation’s first Community Engagement Committee of 10 Flint residents to help design the upcoming community forums that will inform strategic planning.
“I am deeply proud of all that we have accomplished during my time at the Ruth Mott Foundation,” Thueme said. “While I will miss the daily interactions and challenges, I look forward to seeing the Foundation continue its work toward a just and equitable Flint.”
Prior to the Ruth Mott Foundation, Thueme’s executive roles included president & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and vice president at Trinity Health in Novi.
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The Ruth Mott Foundation is a private family foundation established in Flint, Michigan, by Ruth Mott, a philanthropist and wife of automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott. Its mission is to work with the community to connect people, ideas, and resources for a vibrant and inclusive Flint.