Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Announces Interim President

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving announced today the appointment of Yvette Meléndez as interim president, effective March 20, 2017.  This follows the planned retirement of Linda J. Kelly who has served the Foundation as president for over 11 years.  Ms. Meléndez will serve as interim until a new president is named, and will take a leave of absence from the board during this time.  She is not a candidate for the position.

“We cannot thank Linda enough for her long and very successful leadership of the Foundation – our endowment, our impact in the community and our reputation are all very strong and we owe Linda and the staff, board, donors and grantees for all of this,” said JoAnn H. Price, chair of the Hartford Foundation board of directors.

Ms. Meléndez has served on the Hartford Foundation’s board for close to 12 years, the last three as chair.  She has over 30 years of successful managerial experience in state government, higher education and at Hartford Healthcare, Hartford Hospital, from which she is recently retired.

“Yvette is the right person to lead the Foundation in this transition period,” said Ms. Price.  “She has been directly involved with the Foundation for over a decade and has the leadership and management skills necessary to continue the good work of the Hartford Foundation and oversee the operation in the interim.”

The Hartford Foundation Board of Directors is optimistic that a new president will be named within the next few months and is using an executive search firm to coordinate the search.

Ms. Meléndez commented, “Throughout its history, the Foundation has played a critical role in addressing the many needs of the community.  I am very proud to have been associated with it for over a decade and look forward to working with the Foundation’s dedicated board and talented staff in this new capacity during this transition.”

Board Vice Chair Theodore S. Sergi said, “The board and the Hartford Foundation are in a very healthy space – organizationally and financially.  There is a new strategic plan, a strong board and very competent staff to help advance the quality of life in Greater Hartford.  Yvette has been involved in all of these efforts and will be able to take the baton from Linda – carry it forward – and pass it on when a new president is named.”