Maddison Miller has been chosen to become the next CEO of the Brown County Community Foundation, taking over for Larry Pejeau, who is retiring.

Her selection was announced at the foundation’s 25th anniversary gala on Sept. 15.

Miller has “all the skills she needs to be the new CEO,” said board President Shirley Boardman.

She’s spent 10 years working with state or local government in the Indianapolis area. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2011 from Ball State University and a master’s degree in public affairs and nonprofit management from IUPUI in 2015.

It’s been a dream of hers to turn her passion into a career, she told the crowd. “You know, philanthropy really stretches us as human beings, challenging us to become better than we are,” she said. Philanthropy invites us “to see see one another as sharers, parts cooperating for the benefit of a larger whole.

“What you have here in Brown County is so very special,” she said. “I feel lucky to now be a part of it.”

Miller and her husband have moved to Nashville. She will start transitioning into her new role on Oct. 1.

Pejeau was given a Lawrence Brothers glass sculpture of a tree to thank him for his service. He was hired as CEO in 2012, following Bob Kirlin. Kirlin had often referred to the work of the foundation as “planting seeds,” allowing something bigger to grow in time.

Kirlin held the microphone as Pejeau read the sculpture’s inscription: “Noble is the one who plants a tree to give shade to one he will never meet.”