Please join us in congratulating current Nonprofit Administration student Kendra Cundiff on her new role as an Exempt Organizations Analyst with BakerHostetler. Kendra is a 2020 John Carroll University alumni with degrees in Political Science and Peace Justice and Human Rights. She returned to start the Nonprofit Program this fall.
BakerHostetler is "one of the nation's largest law firms and represents clients around the globe" in six main practice groups: business, digital assets and data management, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, and tax. Kendra is working in the tax group on the tax-exempt organizations and charitable giving team. The subgroup's main priority is "to provide comprehensive advice to help mission-driven organizations achieve their vision."
BakerHostetler supported the nonprofit sector through the watershed Tax Reform Act of 1969 and, today, "assists the nonprofit sector through legal and legislative challenges with innovative thought leadership and advice."
In her position, Kendra will work with lawyers and nonprofit clients to meet the aforementioned goals. Kendra said, "I love that my job enables me to help nonprofits actualize their mission to the best of their ability; I hope to continue to do this!" She aspires to bring this passion for social justice and helping others to the field. She says “JCU has laid a foundation for me in social justice.”
Kendra is enjoying her time in the NPA program, "I love learning! I am looking forward to learning more, especially from nonprofit leaders who are active in the field. I love listening to their lived experiences," she said.
Kendra also explained that she has felt prepared for this role because "My classes directly relate to my position. As my job focuses more on nonprofits' tax and legal aspects, it has been helpful to bring a social justice perspective to these matters."
As a passionate social justice advocate, Kendra's love for nonprofit work began in middle school as a volunteer at Youth Challenge. She said, "I joined the [Nonprofit] program to continue to grow this passion and to help nonprofits achieve their missions and better their communities."
Again, please join us in congratulating this unapologetic social justice leader on this exciting new role. We cannot wait to see what is in store for Kendra!