The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced the appointment of TODD PIERCE to the newly created role of chief digital officer, effective April 6. Pierce, currently senior vice president of healthcare and life sciences industry at Salesforce.com, previously served as chief information officer at Genentech and for the government of Santa Clara County, California. He also has served on several nonprofit and foundation boards. "Todd brings a wealth of leadership experience from life sciences, technology, and bio-pharmaceutical organizations and the public sector," said the foundation's COO, Leigh Morgan. "His demonstrated commitment to talent development, combined with a keen understanding of cross-functional operations, will enable Todd to shape and lead an increasingly integrated strategy for technology and digital platforms in service of the foundation's mission."

The Ford Foundation has announced the appointment of CHRIS CARDONA as program officer for U.S. philanthropy. Cardona, most recently head of philanthropic services for the consulting firm TCC Group, previously served as Northeast program director at Hispanics in Philanthropy and before that was country coordinator in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He has, in addition, served as a consultant to several grantmaker affinity groups.

The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation has announced the planned retirement of its president, VICTOR De LUCA, at the end of November. De Luca has devoted twenty-five years of service to the foundation, starting as a program officer in 1991. "We are grateful to Vic for his skillful and fearless leadership and his wonderful sense of humor," said foundation board chair Wendy Holding. "Vic's clear vision, deep values, and unwavering belief in the power of grassroots social movements in achieving economic, social and environmental justice have made an indelible mark…[and] will have long-lasting impact."

The Dyson Foundation has announced the planned departure of its president, DIANA GURIEVA, and the hire of ANDREA L. REYNOLDS as its new president, in June. Gurieva, who will continue to serve the foundation in an advisory capacity, became its first professional staff person in 1991 and has overseen its day-to-day operations ever since. While serving as president, she also has served on the boards of a number of organizations, including the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, Walkway Over the Hudson, Grantmakers Forum of New York, the Council on Foundations, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association of America. Earlier in her career, Gurieva worked in reproductive rights and women's health, including service as CEO of three of the nation's largest Planned Parenthood organizations. Reynolds has served as president of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley since 2005, overseeing its expansion to Ulster and Putnam counties. Previously, she worked at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis in a variety of positions, including executive vice president and chief operating officer, and before that was a senior associate in allocations for United Way of the Mid-South.

Consulting giant McKinsey & Co. has named HELENE GAYLE as inaugural CEO of its new nonprofit arm, the McKinsey Social Initiative, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. Gayle, currently CEO of CARE, served previously as director of HIV/AIDS and other health programs at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and also worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She currently serves on the board of the Coca-Cola Company.

The Bush Foundation has announced the appointments of KATHLEEN ANNETTE and PAUL BATCHELLER to its board. Annette, president of the Blandin Foundation, served for twenty-six years in various roles for the federal government. She also is the first woman member of the Ojibwe Nation to become a physician, a member of the Northwest Minnesota Women's Hall of Fame, and a recipient of both a Presidential Meritorious Award and a Presidential Distinguished Service Award. Batcheller is a partner and co-founder of venture capital firm PrairieGold Venture Partners and serves on the boards of tenKsolar, ZeaChem, and Agrivida. Batcheller's community and nonprofit involvement includes service for the South Dakota Research and Commercialization Council, Dakota Resources, Falls Foundry, and the South Dakota Biotech Association. Earlier, he was an advisor to former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) in the areas of economic policy, science, and technology.

In other news, PND notes the passing of FAY CHANDLER on March 3. In addition to her generous giving to the arts and other causes, Chandler, a Boston-based artist and philanthropist, founded Art Connection, which places donated artworks in social-service agencies and other nonprofits. As an artist, Chandler created pieces that are now in the collections of several institutions, including the DeCordova Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Chrysler Museum of Art. "I think you would have to say she has been a pivotal figure in arts philanthropy in this city," said Paul Grogan, president of the Boston Foundation. "Certainly she was one of the most active and generous of donors."