Our Recent Executive Placements

Community Access to the Arts (CATA)

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) is proud to announce the appointment of Kelly Galvin as a Program Director. Kelly Galvin joins current CATA staff members Jeff Gagnon and Kara Smith, who have been promoted to the Program Director position, to create a new three-person arts leadership team at the nonprofit, reporting to the organization’s Executive Director, Margaret Keller. Read the announcement.

Greater Hartford Arts Council

The Greater Hartford Arts Council announced that the Board of Directors has named Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best the next CEO of the 50-year-old organization effective April 18, 2022. Dr. Best brings with her more than 20 years of experience as a non-profit leader in the Greater Hartford community. Read the announcement.

Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s new executive director, William “Billy” Spitzer, who begins his tenure later in July 2021, brings experience in science education, climate communication, and network building from his work for more than 20 years at the New England Aquarium.

“I really appreciated TSNE’s deliberate approach to the search process. The position profile was very thoughtful, and gave me a really good sense of the challenges and opportunities facing the organization and helped me to evaluate the fit of the position in relation to my skills and interests. Throughout the search, I valued TSNE’s open communication about the process, including giving plenty of advance notice re scheduling interviews and setting clear expectations for each step along the way. Finally, it was great to have TSNE’s help during my first several weeks in setting mutual expectations with the staff and board, and in serving as a sounding board.” — Spitzer

Read the announcement.

Massachusetts 4-H Foundation

The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation appointed Carrie Myers to serve as its Executive Director, effective January 3, 2022. Myers brings over 20 years of experience in fundraising and delivering programs to youth development organizations. Most recently, she served as Director of Advancement for the North Carolina Outward Bound School where she led and consolidated the development, communications, sales, and marketing teams. Read the press release.

Right Question Institute

The Right Question Institute announced the selection of Betsy Smith as their inaugural executive director in May 2021. She brings more than 30 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and educator and has taken over executive leadership from Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, RQI’s co-founders and long-time co-directors. The Right Question Institute is a nonprofit educational organization offering a simple, powerful strategy that builds people’s skills to ask better questions, participate in decisions that affect them, advocate for themselves, and partner with service-providers. Read more.

Early Educator Investment Collaborative

The Early Educator Investment Collaborative is thrilled to announce Dr. Ola J. Friday as the inaugural Director, beginning April 5, 2021. Dr. Friday will lead The Collaborative’s efforts to help early educators achieve their full potential as professionals and to ensure that all children are prepared for success in school and life. Dr. Friday joins The Collaborative’s work to eliminate the opportunity gap among children and ensure that every child makes lasting gains in cognitive, social, and emotional development through their early care and education experience.

Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights

The Board and Staff Leadership Team of Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights are delighted to announce that Kelli Wescott McCannell will be their first Executive Director in November 2021. Transitioning from their Founder to their first Executive Director will propel GRR! to a new level of effectiveness on the national level. Read her biography.

Rhode Island Land Trust Council

The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council recently announced the appointment of Kate Sayles as executive director, beginning July 6, 2021. “I am delighted to continue my work with the Rhode Island Land Trust Council in this new capacity and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” Sayles said. Read the press release.

Family Nurturing Center

The board of Family Nurturing Center, based in Dorchester, MA, are thrilled to introduce Emma Tobin as the new executive director. Read more.

Thistle Communities

Thistle is proud to announce the hiring of Paul D’Angelo as its new CEO. For over 12 years, Mr. D’Angelo has demonstrated his passion for affordable housing and community development and has a strong belief that a community can actively engage public, private, non-profit partners to develop and support affordable mixed-income communities. He feels strongly that all communities should offer a variety of housing types, both home ownership and rental, from manufactured homes to single family, at a variety of price points to match the variety of incomes and wages produced in the region. Read the press release.