Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation Expanding

04-17-24

The Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation Board of Directors has announced an expansion of the Foundation's leadership team to bolster commitment to three strategic priorities that will drive impact for children and families.

The Board will be recruiting a new President & CEO to spearhead the next evolution of the Foundation's journey. The new CEO will be responsible for nurturing local, state and national partnerships, mobilizing resources to create transformational improvements in family and community wellbeing.

This fall Tina Crave, founding President & CEO, will pivot to a new role providing program leadership to drive expanded investments in youth mental health.

"This transition, being made at Tina's request, will leverage Tina's population health expertise and allow her to spend more time doing what she does best - facilitating community collaboration," said Foundation Board Chair Mike Sullivan.

With input from community partners, the Foundation has set bold goals, seeking more transformational outcomes. After reflecting on "what it will take" to to meet these goals, the Foundation has committed to three priorities:

1. Mobilize Additional Funding: Over the next 10 years the Foundation seeks to bring more than $50 million in public and private co-investments into our community, matching its own commitment of investing $50+ million in building strong families and thriving communities.

2. Lead Innovation in Youth Mental Health: We will significantly expand investments in social emotional wellbeing, equipping our community to lead innovation that builds resilience and shapes environments that nurture wellbeing.

3. Policy Advocacy: We will build our community's collective capacity to work with state and national partners to advance public policies that support wellbeing.

"Since the Foundation's formation in 2016, we have been humbled by partners' ability to collaborate in building strong families and thriving communities," said Sullivan. "Progress made by partners has garnered the support of social change leaders across the country, including co-investments from multiple state agencies and a $5 million investment from national philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. We are thrilled to add leadership resources to further amplify community impact."

"Mental health is a priority here and across the country," said Crave. "With a strong track record of collaboration, our community is well poised to lead innovation communities desperately need. The Foundation is pleased to dedicate additional resources to youth mental health, and I am looking forward to dedicating more time to this important topic. Together, we can build lives and communities that are healthier and happier."

The Board has engaged Spano Pratt, a Milwaukee-based executive search firm, to launch a national search with an anticipated CEO leadership transition in fall of 2024.