Ashleigh Gardere has been promoted from executive vice president to president. She will serve alongside Michael McAfee, who will remain CEO of this national research institute, which advances racial and economic equity.
Gardere joined PolicyLink in 2020.
Christopher Maloof, president and chief product officer at MeridianLink, will be the next CEO of this tech company, which makes social-impact software.
He follows Kelly Schmitt, who is departing after six years.
Foundation of FirstHealth
Dana Casson, vice president of philanthropy at the Novant Health Foundation, will become president of this $84 million grant maker for the Carolinas on October 14.
She will succeed Kathy Stockham, who plans to retire in December after 19 years as its leader.
Laura Clancy, chief operating officer at the Desai Sethi Foundation and Samvid Ventures, is now executive director at the Bridge Project.
Julie Dussliere, senior vice president and chief of Paralympics and internally managed sport at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has been named president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation, effective October 1. She will replace Matt Folk, who has led the fundraising organization for Purdue University since 2019.
Robin Miller has been promoted from chief operating officer to CEO of Jewish Family Home Care, in Davie, Fla.
Alicia Zhou, a cancer researcher and chief science officer at Color Health, has been named CEO of the Cancer Research Institute. She succeeds Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, its CEO and director of scientific affairs since 1993.
Other Notable Appointments
Valerie Black-Turner, a community-impact officer at the Kansas Health Foundation, has been promoted to director of community partnerships. In addition, Juston White was promoted from community-impact officer to director of institutional partnerships and special projects.
Jennifer Ossakow Goldsmith, a rabbi and managing director of professional learning and growth at the Jewish Education Project, has been appointed vice president for education and visitor services at the Museum of Jewish Heritage–A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
Shaneva McReynolds, a policy consultant in Illinois, will serve as vice president of strategic initiatives and organizational development at FAMM, formerly known as Families Against Mandatory Minimums. She has consulted at the group since 2021.
Devon Meier, director of donor engagement at the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation, has been hired as director of philanthropy at the Rose Hill Foundation. This organization raises money for Rose Hill Center, a residential rehabilitation program for adults with mental illness.
Casandra Oldham has been named director of autism programs at the Thought Leadership and Innovation Foundation. Most recently she was vice president at Autism First.
Sheila Hanlon Ravindran has become executive vice president and chief information officer at Food for the Poor. Most recently she was senior vice president of technology and innovation at the toy company Jazwares.
Joanne Reyes, CEO at Fulfillment Fund, is joining the Providence Holy Cross Foundation as chief philanthropy officer.
Rebecca Silber is now chief operating officer at the Wren Collective. She is the former director of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures.
Michal Zahler has been tapped as major-gifts officer at YouthBuild USA. Most recently she was a donor-impact officer at the Clean Air Task Force.
Elizabeth Elkas, president and CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation since 2019, will retire at the end of the year.
Shamoyia Gardiner has resigned after three years as executive director of Strong Schools Maryland. Riya Gupta, senior policy advocate, will serve as interim executive director until a permanent successor has been named.
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