February 17, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes
The Bail Project
David Gaspar has been promoted to CEO of the Bail Project, which advocates for reforms to the criminal-justice system. Gaspar, who served nearly 11 years in prison as a young man, was previously its national director of operations.
He follows its founder, Robin Steinberg, who is retiring after five years there.
Baltimore Corps
Tamara Arnold was promoted from chief of staff to executive director. She succeeds Fagan Harris, its president and CEO for the past 10 years, who has been appointed chief of staff for Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland.
In addition, Sarah Flammang will serve as interim president and CEO of its City Corps program. Most recently she was vice president of partnerships and special initiatives at Baltimore Corps.
Watch a video interview with Fagan Harris about how to attract and retain top-quality workers.
Philadelphia Cultural Fund
Gabriela Serena Sanchez will become its next executive director on April 3.
She is the co-founder of the Power Street Theatre, where she will remain co-artistic director.
More New CEOs
Laura Armstrong, executive director of La Casa Hogar, has been appointed executive director of EarthGen, a nonprofit group that supports environmental education and youth activism against climate change.
Jean Butler has been tapped as president and CEO of the enCourage Kids Foundation. Most recently she was CEO of the Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Toy Association. Butler replaces Michele Hall Duncan, who died from breast cancer in June at age 58.
Kat Edwards has returned to Theatre Three as managing director. She previously worked at the Dallas theater until 2019 when she departed to become operations manager at Cry Havoc Theater Company.
Amber Farr, founding director of One Northside at the Buhl Foundation, has been appointed executive director of Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania. She succeeds Barbara Sieck Taylor, who has departed after 15 years in the role.
Carlissia Graham has been promoted from chief operating officer to president of New Media Ventures after leading the impact-investment fund on an interim basis for several months. She is its first Black woman leader.
Lyz Luke, associate director and interim managing director for the past year, has been promoted to executive director of Living Jazz. She follows Stacey Hoffman, who has stepped down 39 years after she founded the San Francisco group.
Dawn Rains has been promoted from president to CEO of Treehouse, a charity that advocates for educational equity for youths in foster care. She succeeds Lisa Chin, who is departing after three years as its leader.
Danny Sells has been promoted from chief operating officer to CEO of Wells of Life, a Christian nonprofit group that increases access to clean drinking water in Uganda.
Other Notable Appointments
Mark Constantine, president and CEO of Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, will become senior vice president of community investment at the Dogwood Health Trust in April.
Marie Foster-Bruns, president and CEO of One Region, will become vice president of advancement at Valparaiso University on March 20.
Tina Garrett-Ragland has been hired as chief people officer at Save the Children U.S. Most recently she was enterprise leader of diversity, equity, inclusion, and learning and development at Pacific Life Insurance.
Mike Kennealy, who was secretary of housing and economic development under former Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, has been hired as chief strategy officer and senior adviser to the CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
Lisette Le has joined the Barr Foundation as director of its Racial Wealth Equity Initiative. She was most recently executive director of the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development.
Laura McGarry has been promoted from vice president to chief talent officer at the fundraising consulting firm Graham-Pelton.
Lauren McLellan, senior development officer at Harvard Business School, has been named assistant vice president for development at Bryant University.
Lisa Morina is now vice president of advancement for corporate relations at the Cooper Foundation. Most recently she was vice president of government and external relations at Jefferson Health.
Gina Rodriguez has joined the Jackson Laboratory as vice president of advancement. Previously she was chief development officer at the Shedd Aquarium.
Joel Seltzer, a rabbi and executive director of Camp Ramah in the Poconos, will begin as vice chancellor for institutional advancement at the Jewish Theological Seminary on March 13.
Brenda Sulick, vice president of public, government, and community affairs at SCAN Health Plan, has been appointed chief advocacy and engagement officer at the National Council on Aging.
Nathan VanDeman has joined Habitat for Humanity of Broward as vice president of housing development. A real-estate developer in Florida, he is founder and principal of Resolve and VanDeman Ventures.
Departures
Neill Coleman, executive director of Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies since 2018, is leaving to return to his consulting company, Mission Magnified.
Brigitte Martin is departing after four years as executive director of the Society of Arts and Crafts. Karina Burston, deputy director, will serve as acting executive director until the charity hires a permanent successor.
Terri Watson will step down as president of the National Outdoor Leadership School on April 30. She has worked there since 1990. Sandy Colhoun, chief campaign officer at Colby College, will serve as interim president until a permanent successor has been named.
Legacy
Thomas Dortch Jr., a civil-rights leader in Atlanta, died on February 15 at age 72. He was the longtime chairman of 100 Black Men of America, where he was involved for 37 years.
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