Meet John Luther, CEDAM’s new finance manager! John started in January and comes to CEDAM with a tax and accounting background. Though CEDAM is very different from his previous corporate experiences, he wants to leverage that knowledge to make a difference in the world. For John, working to improve local and state communities is the best way to achieve tangible change. He wants to leverage his knowledge and skills to improve and update CEDAM’s processes and make them simpler as we continue to grow. Our communications manager, Jennifer, sat down and talked with John to get to know him better.

Jennifer Lareau-Pitts, Communication Manager: Can you give me a brief overview of what you were doing before joining CEDAM and how that led you here?

John Luther, Finance Manager: Previously, I worked at Thomson Reuters as a tax analyst, where I was working on implementing tax law changes into their tax software. Earlier in my professional career, I focused more on taxes. I have a master’s in accounting and have continually kept up with the accounting side of things. Overall, I’m comfortable with working in either of those lanes.

Jennifer: Do you have any previous experience with the CED field? What made you shift to a nonprofit?

John: I found myself not enjoying working in the corporate world; it was a difficult place for me to feel like I was making a difference at all. I thought a change would be nice. I’ve recently joined the Human Rights Commission in the city of Chelsea, and that has been a really good place for me to be. I feel like I am doing more to help out in the world. I know someone who worked at CEDAM, and when this position opened up, she suggested I apply.

But no, I have no prior background in Community Development. I’ve kind of gotten a crash course in the last year. With the way of the world is right now, I’m trying to become more involved in my community as a whole, but I wouldn’t say that gave me very much actual experience in the field. 

Jennifer: What are you looking forward to most in this role, working at CEDAM? 

John: I’m hoping to create and implement new systems that can simplify the lives of the program managers and of Ben. I’m hoping to use my tech background to make and improve the current systems at CEDAM to make people’s lives easier.

Jennifer: What excites you most about community development as a field?

John: With all the uncertainty in the world right now, I feel like doing something to help make things better. Doing that on the local and state level is much more attainable than on the world stage. It excites me to be able to do something that is meaningful to others and can hopefully expand the reach of the programs that are already in place here that are doing amazing things. 

Jennifer: What do you want to get the most out of this role?

John: I want to be valuable to the organization by supporting everybody and making the financial and compliance aspects clear and transparent. I’m hoping to minimize growing pains and help with that transition.

Lightning round get-to-know-you questions!

What’s the last book you read?

The Shadowed Sun by N. K. Jemisin

What’s a current or recent TV/movie you enjoyed?

Fallout series on Amazon Prime

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

Japan, because I still haven’t been there, even with a bachelor’s in Japanese studies

What was the last concert you attended? 

Lords of the Trident in the Chicago area

Do you have any hobbies right now? 

Board games, video games, running