March 3, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes
Newman’s Own Foundation
Alex Amouyel will become its president and CEO in April. This foundation was created by the late actor Paul Newman to give away 100 percent of the profits from Newman’s Own food and beverages, primarily to causes that help children who have faced adversity.
Amouyel is currently the executive director of MIT Solve.
Garrison Institute
Karen Doyle Grossman, global head of operations at Search Inside Yourself Global, will be the next executive director of this organization that promotes contemplative practice as a driver of social change.
In addition, Stephen Posner, director of policy and partnerships at the University of Vermont’s Gund Institute for Environment, has joined the Garrison Institute as director of its Pathways to Planetary Health Initiative. Christa Tinari will now serve as director of the Contemplative-Based Resilience Project. Most recently she was senior content developer and a trainer in the social, emotional, and ethical learning program at Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics.
Skillman Foundation
Laila Bell has been hired as vice president of learning and impact, a new position at the $641 million foundation. Most recently she was director of evaluation, learning, and impact stories at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In addition, Natalie Fotias was promoted from director of communications to vice president of communications.
U.N. World Food Programme
Cindy McCain, the wife of the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona, has been named executive director of the humanitarian group. She currently serves as the U.S. ambassador to three U.N. agencies in Rome: the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Food Programme.
McCain will succeed David Beasley, who is stepping down on April 5 after six years as its leader.
More New CEOs
Y’landa Burch is now lead administrator and executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs Maryland Alliance. Most recently she was chief operating officer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore.
Chiwoniso (Chi) Kaitano has been appointed executive director of MacDowell, a nonprofit artist-residency program. Previously she was executive director of Girl Be Heard. Kaitano succeeds Philip Himberg, who has retired.
Diane Palmer, director of corporate and foundation relations at Blessings in a Backpack, has been appointed executive director of the Maryland Foundation of Dentistry.
Gabriela Sandoval will be the first executive director of the Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute, a new think tank that will study the effects of wealth inequality on society and advocate for higher taxes on the richest Americans. Most recently, she was race and equity policy director at the Utility Reform Network.
Leonardo Vazquez is now executive director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation. Previously, he was the founder and director of the National Consortium for Creative Placemaking and Creative Placemaking Communities.
Sylvia Watts McKinney, executive director of Summer Search in Philadelphia, will become president and CEO of Thompson Island Outward Bound in May. She will be the first woman and person of color to lead this organization that offers outdoor learning experiences for students through its partnerships with Boston Public Schools. Watts McKinney will follow Arthur Pearson, who has led the group for 18 years.
Alan Yu, chief development officer at the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, has been named executive director of New Yorkers for Children.
Saman Zia-Zarifi, a human-rights lawyer and secretary-general of the International Commission of Jurists, will serve as the next executive director of Physicians for Human Rights. In addition, Gareth Crawford has been hired as chief operating officer and director of development. Previously he was president and CEO of the Carey Institute for Global Good.
Bottom Line
This Boston nonprofit organization, which works to close the gaps in degree-attainment rates for students of color, has five new leaders.
Victoria Coker, managing director of programs in the charity’s New York office, has been promoted to executive director of Bottom Line New York.
Andrea Carter, vice president of communications at City Year, has been hired as chief external-affairs officer.
Shannon Donnelly, chief operating officer at Chicago Collegiate Charter, is now chief operating and financial officer.
Shauwea Hamilton was promoted to chief regional officer. Previously she was executive director of Bottom Line New York.
Sarah Place has been promoted from vice president of programs to chief program officer.
Charles F. Kettering Foundation
The $414 million foundation in Ohio has promoted four leaders.
Paloma Dallas is now senior program officer for international programs. She has worked there since 2010, most recently as its director of special projects and program officer.
Joni Doherty, program officer, has become senior program officer for democracy and the arts.
Melinda Gilmore has been promoted from director of strategic initiatives to director of communications.
Brad Rourke, executive editor and program officer, is now director of external affairs. He will also lead the foundation’s office in Washington, D.C.
Other Notable Appointments
Rebecca Ely, vice president of institutional advancement at Jubilee Housing, has been named director of resource development at Operation Pathways.
Brenda Loya, national director of community development finance and commercial banking at Amalgamated Bank, has joined BlueHub Capital as its first chief operating officer.
Sean Scanlon, vice president for development at Syracuse University, will join the College of the Holy Cross as its vice president for advancement, effective in April.
Mauricio Torres has been promoted from communications strategist to director of communications at the California Budget and Policy Center. He replaces Sarah Jimenez, who is now director of communications at the National Center for Youth Law.
Juston White, former executive director of Camber Children’s Mental Health Wichita, has joined the Kansas Health Foundation as community-impact officer.
Departures
Monisha Kapila, founder and co-CEO of ProInspire, will step down at the end of the year to become an independent nonprofit-leadership consultant. Bianca Anderson will remain its sole CEO.
Roy Kaufmann, director of communications at the Meyer Memorial Trust since 2021, has stepped down.
Send an email to people@philanthropy.com.
