Liz Winninger Stepping Down as CEO

The Xtend Board of Directors announced to clients and staff the resignation of its current CEO, Liz Winninger. Effective May 16, 2025, Winninger will be stepping down from the position she has held as leader of the Grand Rapids area CUSO since 2017.

In a letter to Xtend clients and partners, Chuck Papenfus, Chair of the Xtend Board of Directors, said, “On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Liz for her leadership and many contributions to the Xtend CUSO and its clients. While this transition was unexpected, we respect and support her decision and are grateful for the energy, creativity, vision, and passion she brought to her role. Her innovative spirit and enthusiasm helped shape our CUSO’s direction in meaningful ways, and we wish her success in her future opportunities.”

In the coming weeks the Xtend Board will launch a formal search for a new CEO. In the meantime, the current executive and management team is unchanged and will work with the Board to provide stability and guidance during the transition.

Papenfus said further, “We have a highly experienced and capable leadership team already in place, and we are confident we will be able to continue to meet our clients’ needs with the same energy, creativity, vision, and passion that has defined Xtend’s approach to date. Xtend’s current projects and priorities remain on course, and we do not anticipate any changes in the current structure. The outlook is as positive for Xtend as it has ever been, thanks to the contributions of the entire Xtend leadership team and our dedicated staff.”