Leadership News from HLF

Meet HLF's Newest Board Members!

Gina Gurganus

Gina Gurganus joins the HLF Board as a Certified Financial Planner with nearly a decade of experience in wealth management and institutional asset management. She currently serves as Managing Director at Clearstead, a Cleveland-based investment advisory firm, having advanced through a series of progressive leadership roles since 2022. Prior to Clearstead, she completed PNC Financial Services' competitive Asset Management Development Program, where she worked directly with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and endowments on investment oversight.

She holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from Duquesne University and earned her CFP certification in 2021. A Northeast Ohio native and Lakewood resident, Gina brings a strong commitment to community service through volunteer work and board governance training.

Judy Wright

Judy Wright brings more than fifteen years of experience in nonprofit leadership and philanthropic grantmaking to the HLF Board. Most recently, she served as Senior Program Director at the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity and has previously held leadership roles at the Ohio Transformation Fund and the Brush Foundation.

She is a graduate of several prestigious leadership development programs, including fellowships through the Legacy Heritage Foundation, Rockwood Leadership Institute, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She holds a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University and a B.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University.

A Lakewood resident of nineteen years, Judy is an active member of Collaborate Cleveland and brings deep community roots and a broad civic network to her service on the HLF Board.

New Officers Appointed

HLF is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Chalker as Board President. Laura brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience to the role and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Greater Cleveland Works, where her portfolio spans strategic planning, finance, operations, programs, and compliance. She also serves on the board of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland.

Laura succeeds Becca Baas, who served with distinction as Board President for the past two years and will continue her leadership contributions in a co-Vice President role, supporting a thoughtful transition and continuity of governance.

Alongside Laura in HLF's officer leadership are several dedicated and experienced board members. Rachel Eke assumes the role of Vice President, bringing expertise as Vice President of Ecosystem Partnership at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Warren Coleman joins as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, drawing on his background as Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Advisor at Fifth Third Bank. Kirstin Craciun continues as Secretary and serves as Governance Committee Chair. Kirstin is the Medical Mutual Executive Director for Community Health at Case Western Reserve University. HLF is fortunate to have such depth of leadership, experience, and community-rootedness guiding the Foundation's work.

Staffing Transition

It is bittersweet to share that Grants and Programs Manager Sharon Schuldt has accepted a new position. During her nearly three years with the Foundation, Sharon has been instrumental in strengthening our grantmaking programs, administrative processes, external communications, and strategic initiatives. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and genuinely excited for her in this next chapter.

Please direct any communications to Executive Director Kate Ingersoll at kate@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.

Save the Date: HLF's Annual Community Meeting

HLF's Annual Community Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 PM at Lakewood Congregational Church (1375 W. Clifton Blvd.).

Registration information coming soon, but in the meantime - Save the Date!

FIND US ON:

About the Healthy Lakewood Foundation

The Healthy Lakewood Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. The Healthy Lakewood Foundation was created to ensure that the remaining assets from the conversion of the Lakewood Hospital continue to benefit the health and well-being of Lakewood residents.

HLF champions the collective pursuit of health and well-being for the Lakewood community through grantmaking, resource sharing, and collaboration with local organizations.

To contact HLF, please visit our website or email info@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.

Healthy Lakewood Foundation

P.O. Box 770230

Lakewood, OH 44107