NCCF Welcomes New Board Members and Development Director
New Canaan, CT, June 26, 2024 – The New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) proudly welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors. The NCCF board is led by more than 20 volunteers and civic leaders, who seek to understand and represent a wide variety of issues impacting the local community.
New Board Members as of July 1, 2024, include:
● Holly Donaldson Casella is the Director of Major Gifts and Alumni Affairs at New Canaan Country School, a New Canaan native, and an active member of our local community. Prior to joining the team at NCCS, Holly held various roles in fundraising and special events at Americares, a global health organization founded here in New Canaan and headquartered in Stamford. Holly has volunteered in many capacities at NCCF, including Annual Appeal Co-Chair, Luncheon Committee, and Grant Reviewer, among others. She was also the recipient of the NCCF Impact Award during NCCF’s Volunteer Recognition Awards in 2023.
● William Hines has been the Chief Medical Officer for the Stamford Health Medical Group since 2014, a practicing Internist specializing in Nephrology and an attending physician at Stamford Hospital. He was part of a collaborative project with Liberation Programs which brought behavioral health services to Stamford Health outpatient practices. Bill has volunteered with the NCCF's Behavioral Health Committee since 2023.
● Tiffany Kuehner is a Vice President and Banker in the Greenwich, CT, office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. She is passionate about working alongside individuals and families to transform their life goals into a deeply impactful legacy. She is a Board Emeritus Member and former Board Chair and CEO for Hope for Haiti, an organization founded by her grandmother. She serves as a National Board Member for Reach Out and Read, a pediatric literacy model providing a foundation for success through relational health and education. Tiffany also serves on NCCF’s Behavioral Health Committee and has previously served as a Co-Chair for NCCF’s Annual Luncheon.
● Alex Stewart is the Co-owner of Walter Stewart’s Market with his brother Doug. Together, they own and operate Walter Stewart’s Market, founded in 1907 by their great-grandfather, along with the adjacent Stewart’s Wine and Spirits, founded by their uncle in 1974. As a fourth-generation New Canaanite he embodies a generational commitment to New Canaan through family business and community service. Alex has served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and the New Canaan Cemetery Association and has been on the NCCF Volunteer Recognition Committee since 2017.
"We are delighted to welcome Holly, Bill, Tiffany, and Alex to our board," said Jeff Williams, Chair of the NCCF Board of Directors. "Each of their diverse backgrounds and deep ties to New Canaan will bring a wealth of knowledge to our board within their respective areas and allow us to continue to serve our community’s needs."
The election of this year’s NCCF Executive Committee includes:
● Jeff Williams, Chair of the Board
● Aaron Cooper, Vice Chair
● Chris Schipper, Vice Chair
● Erica Schwedel, Governance
● Jim Clayton, Treasurer
Currently serving Board members include: Jayne Benton, Eileen Boyd, Monica Capela Chimera, Dan Harris, Suzanne Harrison, Jim Huetter, Karen Mactas, Dan Rashin, Michael Reed, Michelle Riley, Sara Schubert, John Sheffield, Marley Thackray, Ross Weiner, and Kristina Woods.
In addition to the new board, NCCF is proud to announce it has also hired a new Development Director, Carrie Kurtz. Carrie has served as a volunteer for the Foundation and other local nonprofit organizations since moving to New Canaan in 2013.
"We are thrilled to have Carrie join us as Development Director," said Lauren Patterson, President & CEO of the New Canaan Community Foundation. "Her past corporate experience, combined with her passion for our mission, will be instrumental in advancing our development efforts." Carrie joins the team following the move out of state of the current Development Director, Lauren Erickson, who will remain engaged with NCCF on key activities.
Carrie Kurtz joins NCCF’s full-time staff:
● Lauren Patterson, President & CEO
● Meg Soffen, Program Officer
● Kim Herr, Development & Communications Associate
● Julie Ko, Finance and Operations Manager
