Headwaters Foundation Leader Joins McKnight Foundation (Transitions)

McKnight Foundation

David Nicholson will begin as program director of the Minneapolis foundation’s new Vibrant and Equitable Communities program on September 8. He has been executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice since 2013.

PetSmart Charities

Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Michelson Found Animals Foundation, has become president of this corporate foundation that makes grants to rescues and other animal-welfare charities.

TechPoint Foundation for Youth

George Giltner, vice president of STEM education, has been promoted to president and CEO. He follows Laura Dodds, who led the group from 2009 until her departure in April.

Wellcome Leap

Regina Dugan, a former Facebook and Google executive who served as director of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency from 2009 until 2012, has been named CEO of this Los Angeles nonprofit group founded by the Wellcome Trust to accelerate research to benefit global human health.

In addition, Kaigham (Ken) Gabriel has been appointed chief operating officer. He succeeded Dugan as acting director of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2012 and more recently was president and CEO of the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory.

More New CEOs

Sharon Langenbeck, retired section manager of mechanical engineering at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will now serve as president of Zonta International and the Zonta International Foundation. These organizations match professionals as mentors for women worldwide through service and advocacy programs.

April Redzic, vice president for resource development at Kids Above All, has been named president and CEO of DuPagePads, a group that is working to end homelessness in DuPage County, Ill. She succeeds Carol Simler, who is retiring after 23 years there.

Melanie Torres, director of programs and operations at Project Citizenship, will now serve as its interim executive director. She succeeds Veronica Serrato, who has led this nonprofit group that helps immigrants become U.S. citizens since its founding in 2014.

Brett Yates has been named acting executive director of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Yates has served as its chief operating officer since 2018.

Grammy Museum

The Recording Academy’s museum has announced three senior leadership promotions.

Hilary Fahlsing, formerly director of finance, has been promoted to vice president of finance and administration.

David Sears is now vice president of education for the museum’s Grammy in the Schools program. He has been executive education director at the Grammy Foundation since 1994.

Lynne Sheridan, senior director of public programs and artist relations, has been promoted to vice president of artist relations, programs, and content.

Other Notable Appointments

Mary Bauer has been named legal director at Muslim Advocates, a national civil-rights organization. Previously she was general counsel at Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, a group that advocates for rights for migrant workers.

Kathryn Eaton, program manager, has been promoted to manager of stakeholder development at Health eVillages, a nonprofit group that delivers mobile medical diagnostic technology to remote areas globally.

Dennis Morrone, national partner-in-charge of audit services in the not-for-profit and higher education practices at Grant Thornton, has been named national managing partner for the accounting firm’s not-for-profit and higher education practices. He succeeds Mark Oster, who is retiring.

Matt Rizzo has joined Dartmouth College as vice president for presidential initiatives and principal gifts. Most recently he was vice president of institutional advancement at Bennington College.

Bryan Robinson has been appointed vice president for advancement at the Jackson Laboratory. Most recently he was vice chancellor for advancement at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and president of the UNCP Foundation.

Mark Syroney, senior director of sales and marketing at WKSU 89.7-NPR, has been named vice president of development and communication at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. In addition, Julie Caruso, associate vice president at the United Way of Summit County, has joined the historic home and museum as director of major gifts and planned giving.

Patty Wagenhofer, former integrated health director at Genesee Community Health Center, has joined CARE of Southeastern Michigan as chief operating officer. In addition, Paul Van Sickle is now chief financial officer. Previously he was vice president of finance at Motor City Casino.

Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts, has been promoted to vice president of state operations for Common Cause’s national operations.

Departures

Bob Irvin will retire as president and CEO of American Rivers in January. He has led the conservation group for nine years.

Troy Powell has been dismissed as artistic director of Ailey II, the junior troupe of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, following allegations that he sent “inappropriate communications” with dancers in the organization.

Bill Smith has stepped down as president and CEO of the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Legacies

Carmen Castellano, co-founder of the Castellano Family Foundation, died on July 18 at age 81. Castellano started her philanthropy with her husband, Alcario, after they won $70.5 million in the California lottery. The foundation has been an active advocate for foundations and wealthy donors to give more to Latinos and issued an influential report on the topic in February.

Remembering Carmen Castellano and her impact on the arts in San Jose

https://staging.philanthropy.com/article/New-Report-Suggests-How-Latino/248062

https://staging.philanthropy.com/article/Lottery-Winners-Pour-Millions/237206

https://staging.philanthropy.com/resources/video/video-from-141-million-lotte/6419/

David Kaiser, former president of the Rockefeller Family Fund and an heir of the Standard Oil fortune, died on July 15 from glioblastoma multiforme, a cancer of the brain. He was 50. As president of the Rockefeller Family Fund, Kaiser announced in 2016 that the foundation would divest its assets from fossil fuels. That decision spurred a legal feud with Exxon Mobil, which owns a part of the oil company founded by John D. Rockefeller, Kaiser’s great-great grandfather.

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