CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF MICHELE HALL-DUNCAN
enCourage Kids Foundation lost an integral part of our family when Michele Hall-Duncan, our President and CEO, passed over the summer following a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Michele’s leadership, passion and commitment to our mission of making hospitals a better place to get better, was the driving force behind EKF during her 26 year tenure.
Michele loved enCourage Kids with her whole being. From her start as a volunteer granting wishes, she felt a deep connection to the mission, and especially to the kids. She always said that her job was to tell the stories and to be the voice for the children we serve. And what a voice she was!
Michele understood the importance of cultivating relationships with our hospital partners. Her commitment to asking what child life professionals needed, and then delivering on those requests, fostered strong bonds with the child life community nationally, and positioned enCourage Kids as an invaluable and unique partner.
Michele always believed in staying ready and open to take advantage of the opportunities that came her way. She initiated and oversaw the expansion of our Jay Anderson Pediatric Hospital Support Fund, which grew to provide funding for more than 330 pediatric facilities nationwide. She was committed to addressing disparities in healthcare, going out of her way to fund programs in hospitals in underserved communities. Under Michele’s leadership, enCourage Kids was awarded the NYC Council Citation for exemplary service to the community.
Michele also always looked for new fundraising opportunities so that we could serve even more kids. When we needed to revamp our Sports Auction event, Michele embraced the challenge with her typical gusto and created Serving Up Smiles, an event that has grown to attract some of the best restaurants, chefs and beverage companies the city has to offer.
Words cannot express the full scope of Michele’s impact on the organization, the children and families we serve, our hospital partners, and all of the lives she touched. She had a magical way of bringing joy every time she walked into the room. No one who met her could forget her smile.
Although we are all deeply saddened she left us too soon, we are forever grateful to have known her and are all better for it.