HARTFORD FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC GIVING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Foundation in 2023 As a Grants Associate
- Grants Associate
Aaron joined the Foundation in 2023 as a Grants Associate. In this role, he assists the grants administration, always working closely with the Accounting and Finance teams. Aaron was born and raised in Hartford and worked many valuable internships before joining the Foundation. He is a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
As a Community Impact Officer, Alexis is part of the Employment Opportunities Outcome Team, focusing on post-secondary success. She also works on the Community Leadership Team.
Alexis came to the Foundation with a diverse background in the field of education. Her experience spans across family engagement and program management, including delivering professional development to school districts on topics of cultural competency and equitable practices. She is a longtime champion and career professional in the field of community engagement and development. Alexis has an M.S. in Communications and Information Management from Bay Path, a B.S. in Communications and in Sociology from Eastern CT State University.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
The ability to encounter people from all walks of life that bring such valued assets to the Greater Hartford Community.
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"Don't wait for the right opportunity: create it."
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Officer
As a Senior Community Impact Officer, Amy works with local nonprofits to strengthen their financial management and technology capacity through planning, assessment and grant funding.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Amy served as Vice President of Finance and Administration for The Governor's Prevention Partnership, a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to prevent youth substance abuse and violence. Amy earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Connecticut.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
I love the variety that the Greater Hartford area has to offer!
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"The less you talk, the more you are listened to." - Pauline Phillips
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
I've served on the board of several nonprofits at both the local and national level.
Andreas received his BA from Springfield College, where he also interned in graphic design. He worked most recently at The Drama Studio, a nonprofit theater conservatory, as their Social Media and Marketing Administrator. In this role, he designed and managed their social media content, website, logos, and print media. He brings experience across design software programs, social media, web design and animation.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
I enjoy the community in Greater Hartford, attending events like Hartford Bonanza and seeing how diverse and energizing the environment can be!
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
You can't control life. But you can always control your effort and ability to adapt to it.
Job Titles:
- Information Technology Officer
Andrew joined the Hartford Foundation in 2000. As Information Technology Officer, he oversees the Foundation's entire IT infrastructure including hardware, software, security, and networking. He has previously held IT and operational positions in for-profit service industries.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
I really appreciate how many different types of environments are easily accessible. Just a half hour drive can take you from the city out into the country with small towns, farms and the woods.
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"I want to be a great philanthropist with someone else's money." -Linus Van Pelt (Charles Schultz)
Bobbi Brown is a Quinnipiac graduate with an interest in public relations. In addition to her work at the Foundation, she also works part-time at WTNH as an assignment editor, planning stories and coordinating logistics for the reporting staff. Bobbi is a former Hartford Promise scholar and Hartford Foundation intern.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Finance and Administration
As Vice President for Finance and Administration, Bonnie is responsible for the financial operations at the Foundation, including Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology. She spent the majority of her career in financial and operational roles at a Connecticut-based life insurance company, and served as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Western New England University.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
The diversity of experiences you can have in such a small geographic reach. You can enjoy the vibrancy of the cultural experiences (arts, theaters, restaurants), wonderful outdoor activities from the rivers to the hills and making meaningful connections to people and places.
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"When you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
Volunteering is one of the most important aspects of my life. I currently serve as a trustee of the Bushnell and a board member of the Connecticut Forum and the IQUILT Partnership.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Brad joined the Foundation in 2019 and leads the organization's communications and marketing efforts, including community relations, brand strategy and awareness, and donor communications. Previously, Brad served as the associate director of Public Relations and Communications at United Technologies Corporation and spent 20 years as a television news anchor, reporter and producer. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Drama and English from Dartmouth College and a Master's of Business Administration from UCLA.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
I love to go out to eat, especially in local restaurants where I might have a chance to interact with the owner. As a frequent customer of locally-owned businesses, I feel more deeply rooted in the community.
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future." -Alex Haley
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
Over the years, I have coached youth baseball and soccer in my hometown, assumed several leadership roles with my college class, and served on several local nonprofit boards, including the Mandell JCC, the Open Hearth and Interval House's "Men Make a Difference" initiative.
Bria joined the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as a Community Impact Officer in April 2024. In her role, she draws from her experience promoting the health and wellness of youth and families. Bria's unwavering commitment to social justice has made her a respected champion for health equity. Bria's impact on public health and community development extends far beyond Boston and Hartford. She has cultivated partnerships and implemented successful reproductive health education programs not only in the United States but also globally, including in Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Haiti. Most recently, Bria worked at VentureWell as a Program Officer supporting global early-stage entrepreneurs in science and technology through a U.S. Department of State initiative, Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST). Bria received her Master of Science in Community Health Education from Merrimack College and her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Job Titles:
- Senior Human Resources Associate
Job Titles:
- Senior Public Policy and Media Relations Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Officer
As a Senior Community Impact Officer, Cierra is responsible for evaluating grant proposals and providing funding recommendations to the Community Impact leadership team. Her areas of focus include, civic education, civic engagement, community organizing and various aspects of giving for the most basic of human needs including food security. Cierra brings years of experience at various philanthropic and nonprofit organizations in an array of programmatic roles including at Capital Workforce Partners and most recently for the American Savings Foundation in New Britain. She received a bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a Master's in Public Policy from Trinity College. In her role, Stancil brings her philanthropic experience and grantmaking skills back to her hometown of Hartford.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
My favorite thing about Greater Hartford is the food. I have favorite Indian, Thai, Jamaican and Vietnamese (Pho) places. I also know where you can get great empanadas. I've visited/lived other places and the food variety and taste does not compare!
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking." -Steve Jobs
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
I have demonstrated my commitment to the residents of Hartford through a range of volunteer roles, including serving as a youth mentor and as an advisor to Capital Workforce Partners. I count my previous service on the board of the Blue Hills Civic Association among my proudest accomplishments.
Job Titles:
- Community Impact Officer
- Member of the Civic Engagement
Cynthia is a dedicated member of the Civic Engagement and Resident Engagement team and Thriving Neighborhoods (formerly Higher Opportunities Neighborhoods) team, where she focuses on fostering civically engaged communities and promoting neighborhood vitality. Her work spans a variety of key areas, including supporting the small business ecosystem, advancing civic participation, advocating for neighborhood development, and affordable housing.
Before joining this team, Cynthia worked at the Knight Foundation, where she supported initiatives aimed at sustaining and growing creative entrepreneurial communities in Miami. She also brings valuable experience from her time in community organizing, having contributed to several local political campaigns and tenant organizing.
What do you enjoy most about Greater Hartford?
The diversity of people and proximity to enjoy everything New England has to offer!
What quote best represents your personal philosophy?
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive." -Maya Angelou
Job Titles:
- Communications and Marketing Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Learning and Evaluation Officer
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant and Manager of Board Relations
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Community Impact
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Information Technology Administrator
Job Titles:
- Senior Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Advancement
Job Titles:
- Senior Officer, Financial Operations
Job Titles:
- Director, Strategic Partnership Investments
Job Titles:
- Gawli Learning and Evaluation Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of Learning, Evaluation, and Capacity Building
Job Titles:
- Senior Learning and Evaluation Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative ( CUOC )
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Donor Experience Officer
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Nonprofit Support Program
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Officer
Job Titles:
- Advancement Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Front Office Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Community Philanthropy Officer
Job Titles:
- Community Philanthropy Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Philanthropy
Job Titles:
- Director of Campaign Operations
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Impact Associate
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Officer
Job Titles:
- Community Impact Associate