New Leaders Announced at Johnson Family and Waxman Foundations

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

William Sullivan was named executive director of the foundation, which has given about $90 million since its inception to support the work of more than 200 cancer researchers worldwide.

Mr. Sullivan most recently served as director of campaign fundraising for Paul Massey, a candidate in this year’s New York mayoral election. He previously spent 10 years as chief executive of Ronald McDonald House New York, during which time he tripled the charity’s operating budget to $20 million.

Samuel Waxman founded the eponymous research foundation in 1976 and currently serves as its chief executive.

Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation

Heather Beebe-Stevens was named executive director. She currently holds the same post at the Spokane Parks Foundation.

Johnson Family Foundation

Richard Burns will serve as interim executive director following the announcement that the foundation’s current leader, Andrew Land, will step down after 10 years at the helm. Mr. Burns recently served as interim executive director of the North Star Fund.

New Hampshire Public Health Association

Joan Ascheim, a performance-improvement manager for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, will serve as interim executive director.

Other notable appointments:

Andrea Keller Helsel, national director of strategy at the Western Conservation Foundation, will become program officer for western conservation in the environment program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Minesh Parikh, senior vice president for consulting and account management at Lipman Hearne, was promoted to chief executive of the nonprofit-focused marketing and communications agency.

Roxie Pin, former director of development at Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts, joins New England Public Radio as senior major-gifts officer.

Sonja Velez, an independent management consultant, was appointed chief financial officer at the San Francisco Foundation. She previously held a similar position at the Democratic Voice of Burma.

Departures:

Rose Ann Cleveland, who has served as executive director of the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation since 2005, will retire in October.

Colin Smith, executive director of Change for Kids, plans to step down this summer.

Paula Van Ness, president and CEO of the Connecticut Community Foundation, will retire at the end of this year.

Legacies:

Trish Vradenburg, a TV screenwriter and playwright who became a leading advocate for Alzheimer’s research, died on April 17 in Washington at age 70. Her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease led Ms. Vradenburg to co-found UsAgainstAlzheimer’s with her husband, George, in 2010. She was vice chairman of the charity’s board at the time of her death.

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