Kenneth Lund has been a partner with Daniel Dennis & Company since 1995 and has over 35 years of experience in the public accounting industry. Ken is also a founding member of the Dorchester Bay Columbia Circle Giving Society.
Ken shared with us the valuable services economic development corporations (EDCs) provide through the development and preservation of affordable housing and the fostering of economic mobility.
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From your perspective, why are community development and organizations like Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation an important resource to the communities they serve?
From my perspective, it is a quality of life issue as well as an economic opportunity issue. Safe affordable housing is the cornerstone of a community’s well-being and continuity. Organizations like Dorchester Bay are in constant motion in terms of developing and preserving affordable housing for all within the community they serve.
Additionally, Dorchester Bay has driven growth and promoted economic mobility and the potential for wealth building to area residents through creation of employment and self-employment opportunities. These organizations provide valuable services to communities that have been historically underserved and overlooked.
Is there anything you can say about Dorchester Bayʼs commitment to the Dorchester community?
Relentless. The quality and commitment of the staff at Dorchester Bay are remarkable. I have worked with the Dorchester Bay staff for many years and have always been impressed with the passion and diligence put forth in pursuing and fulfilling its mission of community development for the residents of Dorchester.
As a donor, what aspects of Dorchester Bay’s mission motivated you to go beyond a business partnership to directly support our work?
There are multiple layers to Dorchester Bay’s mission; however, I am mostly motivated by its success in developing affordable housing for the community. Having a safe place to call home means everything, especially for children. The stress of not having a stable home is significant in that it affects overall health and the emotional wellbeing of a family, as well as the educational development of children. The impact on individuals can be devastating and to the community as a whole.
As a founding member of the Columbia Circle Giving Society, what moved you to deepen your commitment to Dorchester Bay.
I would have to say the people. I have gotten to know Perry Newman, Dorchester Bay Chief Executive Director and Angela Yarde, Director of Private Giving and Donor Relations over the last few years and have been very impressed by their energy and innovation in creating the Columbia Circle Giving Society and also their commitment to fulfill Dorchester Bay’s mission.
Additionally, it has been a pleasure to work with the other members of the Columbia Circle as well as watch our membership grow in recent months. I am both humbled and proud to be part of such a committed group of professionals.
Is there anything in particular that you’d want people to know about you or Daniel Dennis & Company that they might not be aware of or might be surprised to know?
I have been with the firm since 1985 when I was hired by our founder Daniel Dennis, Sr. Dan mentored me and many others over the years until he passed away in 2010. One of the most important things Dan instilled in me was the concept of community and giving back. Dan was very generous in nature, not only financially but with his time and wisdom. He helped many people far beyond the accounting profession and helped instill those core values in everyone he met.
