United Way Worldwide Gets New U.S. President; Steve Fund Hires First Leader

United Way Worldwide

Mary Sellers, who serves as chief executive of United Way of Central Iowa, was named U.S. president of United Way Worldwide.

Ms. Sellers will start her new position in May. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience and has served at the helm of several nonprofits, including the Children’s Museum of the Upstate in South Carolina, the South Florida Science Museum, and the Science Center of Iowa.

District of Columbia Primary Care Association

Tamara Smith, chief executive of the YWCA National Capital Area, was appointed chief executive.

Duke Energy Foundation

Cari Boyce was appointed president of the energy company’s philanthropic arm. She previously served as Duke Energy’s vice president for policy, sustainability, and stakeholder strategy.

Healthy Communities Foundation

Maria del Socorro Pesqueira was named president of the grant maker, formerly known as the Arthur Foundation. She will replace Jim Durkan, who has served as interim president since September. Ms. Pesqueira, who will start her new post on May 15, is chief executive of Mujeres Latinas en Acción.

Kuni Foundation

Angela Hult, executive director and director of corporate social responsibility at the Cambia Health Foundation, was appointed executive director.

Steve Fund

Terri Wright will serve as the first executive director of the Steve Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color. Ms. Wright recently directed the Center for School, Health, and Education and the Center for Public Health Policy at the American Public Health Association.

Other notable appointments

Rey López-Calderón, director of state organizational development at Common Cause, was promoted to interim vice president for development.

Rhonda Madden was named vice president for strategic initiatives at Riverlife. She was the chief development officer at the organization (formerly the Riverlife Task Force), which advocates for the redevelopment of Pittsburgh’s riverfronts.

Jagtar Narula, vice president for investor relations and business planning at Blackbaud, was elevated to senior vice president for corporate strategy and business development.

Departures:

Pamela David, the executive director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund for 15 years, will step down at the end of this year.

Patrick Sears, executive director of the Rubin Museum of Art, plans to retire at the end of this year, or when a successor is named.

Legacies

Paul Connolly, a longtime nonprofit-management consultant, died on March 29 at age 54 after a short illness. He was the director of philanthropy-advisory services at Bessemer Trust and previously served as chief client services officer at TCC Group.

Mr. Connolly was also a contributor to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, he most recently wrote in the January issue about the lack of strong giving advice for wealthy people. Another column by Mr. Connolly worth re-reading: “Grant Makers Must Lead With Their Hearts and Heads.”

Ted Cutler, an arts philanthropist who made his fortune in the travel industry, died on March 30 at age 86. He donated millions of dollars to support Boston cultural institutions, education, health care, and Jewish causes.

Eric Dewey, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville’s chief executive since 2008, died on March 31 at age 54.

Sara Engelhardt, a former president of the Foundation Center, died on March 25 at age 73 after battling Lewy body dementia. She led the center for 17 years and retired in 2008.

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