People in the News (05/14/2023): appointments, promotions, obituaries

A black-and-white collage of headshots.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation in Atlanta has announced the appointment of BLAIR BEASLEY as managing director of its environment efforts. Beasley previously served as the director of climate strategies at the Ray C. Anderson Foundation

The Hudson-Webber Foundation in Detroit has announced the departure of MELANCA CLARK from her role as president and CEO. Clark joined the foundation in August 2016 from Washington, D.C., where she served in a variety of roles in the Obama administration, including at the U.S. Department of Justice as chief of staff of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Under Clark’s leadership, the foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Detroit. 

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation in Oakland, California, has announced the promotion of MEGAN DE TRANE to digital communications specialist. Trane joined the foundation in 2018. Most recently, she led the diversity and inclusion strategies in communications group and the development of the foundation’s new website, which is launching this month. 

The American Forest Foundation in Washington, D.C., has announced the appointment of three new board members: SOPHIE BECKHAM, vice president and chief sustainability officer at International Paper; JASMINE BROWN, a doctorate student in forestry at Michigan State University, where her research focuses on the enduring histories of African Americans in forests and the forestry profession; and JENNIE STEPHENS, CEO of the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation

The Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, New York, has announced the selection of SHADAWN SMITH as executive vice president for arts and culture and executive director of the Billie Holiday Theatre. Previously, Smith held senior roles at NYC & Company, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York City Council, and the New York City Department of City Planning

Cradles to Crayons in Boston has announced the selection of YVETTE MCCLYMONT and CONNIE OLSON as vice president of national philanthropy and vice president of operations, respectively. McClymont previously served as the territorial director of major gifts at Salvation Army—Central Territory. Olson previously served as head of North America supply chain transformation and customer collaboration at Phillips

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation in Edison, New Jersey, has announced several additions to its board of trustees: ALEXANDER DURAN, owner and CEO of Duran Enterprises; JAMES GALEOTA, president and CEO of Kallyope; VINCENT HAGER, president of JGS Insurance; CHRISTOPHER MAHER, chairman and CEO of OceanFirst Bank; JOHN PEARCE, co-founder and senior trader of Blair Mill Capital Management; SAMUEL RAIA, principal officer of Raia Properties; JOHN REINHARDT, regional sales manager of the Northern U.S. power generation division at Cummins; and DOUG SCHWARZ, senior vice president of TD Bank

The Philanthropy Roundtable in Washington, D.C., has announced the departure of ELISE WESTHOFF as president and CEO. Westhoff led the organization for three years. CHRISTIE HERRERA will take over as interim president and CEO. 

PolicyLink has announced the selection of JOSEPHINE WONG to serve as chief operating officer; her predecessor in the role, JOSH KIRSHENBAUM, is transitioning to the role of chief advancement and special initiatives officer. Wong previously served as chief financial operating officer at the Seattle Foundation. 

"The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation appoints Blair Beasley as managing director, environment." Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation press release 05/08/2023. "Hudson-Webber Foundation announces departure of president and CEO Melanca Clark." Hudson-Webber Foundation press release 05/03/2023. "Megan De Trane promoted to digital communications specialist." Kenneth Rainin Foundation press release 05/08/2023. "American Forest Foundation adds new voices and perspectives to board of trustees." American Forest Foundation press release 05/09/2023. "Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation taps veteran executive Shadawn Smith to lead Billie Holiday Theatre and arts & culture programming amid major campus expansion." Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation press release 05/09/2023. "Cradles to Crayons welcomes new vice president of national philanthropy and vice president of operations." Cradles to Crayons press release 05/11/2023. "New trustees join Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation and affiliates." Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation press release 05/08/2023. "Elise Westhoff: Sharing some personal news." Philanthropy Roundtable press release 05/08/2023. "Welcoming the next generation of PolicyLink executive leadership." PolicyLink press release 05/11/2023.