For our May employee spotlight, we’re highlighting a Draper and Kramer, Incorporated team member who shines just as much for his day-to-day work as he does for his philanthropy: Jeff Henderson, vice president of Draper and Kramer’s Commercial Finance Group (CFG).
Jeff oversees a $1.6B loan portfolio within the CFG’s servicing team. However, he’s added another title to his resume – director of the Draper and Kramer Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization founded in 2013 by Draper and Kramer senior vice president Bill Barry & Jane Kanan.
“I’ve been involved with the foundation since joining DK in 2022. When I learned the person who had been managing the foundation was retiring, I immediately threw my hat in the ring to take over the role. I absolutely love doing this and feel so fortunate for the opportunity to have a real impact on our community,” said Jeff.
In his role as director, he oversees most aspects of the foundation, including working with fellow DK employees to select two charities each month to be the beneficiaries of company-wide philanthropic efforts. This consists of both raising funds and coordinating hands-on volunteer events. Recently supported organizations include March of Dimes and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
He noted he was inspired to take on this role by the foundation’s co-founder and head of CFG, Bill Barry. “He’s truly one of the most generous people I’ve ever met, and that generosity is reflected in all he does – not just in the amount of time and resources he gives to charity but in the way he leads the team.”
Jeff continued, “I love it when a colleague nominates a charity that’s important to them, giving us an opportunity to amplify that passion. I get to see a different side to my coworkers, all while doing good together,” he said.
Even with his busy schedule working full-time in the CFG and heading up the Draper and Kramer Foundation, Jeff still finds time for his favorite activity of all – spending time with his wife and two children, ages three and eight months.
