Leadership by and for our region.

In 1925, the founders of the Hartford Foundation designed a governance structure that would ensure leadership by individuals who are knowledgeable about the community and able to make fair decisions about complex issues. This model continues to serve the Foundation and the community well.

The volunteer Board of Directors governs the policies and grant decisions of the Foundation. Board members are appointed for a term of five years, and can serve for a maximum of two terms. The Board meets five times each year.
 

Board of Directors
 

Dr. Mark Overmyer-Velázquez, Chair

Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut-Hartford Appointed by the Metro Hartford Alliance Board Chair, 2019

Marlene M. Ibsen, Vice Chair

Vice President, Community Relations, Travelers, and CEO & President, Travelers Foundation Appointed by the Trustee Banks, 2017

Beatriz Gutierrez, Treasurer

President and CEO, CONNSTEP, Inc. Appointed by the Board of Directors, 2022

Susan B. Dunn

Trained Interim Director for Nonprofits, Retired President of United Way
of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Appointed by the Board Chair, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, 2021

Rev. Darrell Goodwin

Executive Conference Minister, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ Appointed by the Board of Directors, 2025

Gillian Howell

Head of Client Advisory Solutions, Foundation Source Appointed by the Board of Directors, 2024

Alan Mattamana

Managing Partner, Fairview Capital Appointed by the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, 2023

Richard N. Palmer

Retired Associate Justice, Connecticut Supreme Court Appointed by the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, 2016

Nicole Porter

Workforce and Small Business Manager, Urban League of Greater Hartford Appointed by the Judge of Probate Court, District of Hartford, 2021

David M. Roth

Retired, Senior Managing Partner, South Ocean Capital Partners Inc. Appointed by the Board of Directors, 2018

Our Committees

In addition to the Board of Directors, the Foundation is fortunate to have other volunteers who collectively contribute hundreds of hours of service and advice to help the Foundation in a number of areas. Listed here are the members of the standing subcommittees of the Board of Directors and special committees.

AUDIT

Marlene M. Ibsen*
Richard N. Palmer*
Nicole Porter*

DEVELOPMENT

Susan B. Dunn*
Gillian Howell*
Alan Mattamana*
Non-Board Additions, TBD

FINANCE 

Beatriz Gutierrez*
Darrell Goodwin*
Marlene M. Ibsen*
Alan Mattamana*

GOVERNANCE

Richard N. Palmer*
Susan B. Dunn*
Beatriz Gutierrez*
David M. Roth*

HFPG IMPACT!

Marlene M. Ibsen*
Susan B. Dunn*
Alan Mattamana*
Nicole Porter*

INVESTMENT

Alan Mattamana*
Mishone Donelson
David Holmgren
Gillian Howell*
Carl Peterson
David M. Roth*

POLICY and STRATEGY / Expedited Grant Review

Nicole Porter*
Darrell Goodwin*
Beatriz Gutierrez*
Marlene M. Ibsen*
David M. Roth*

BRAINARD Fund ADVISORY

Darrell Goodwin*, Chair
Kenneth R. Alleyne
Ellen Andrews
James Cox-Chapman
Lucy Cox-Chapman Dagneau
Lynne Garner

campaign

Bob Goldfarb, Honorary Co-Chair
Amanda Aronson, Co-Chair
Mark Overmyer-Velázquez*, Co-Chair
Susan B. Dunn*
Gillian Howell*
Marlene M. Ibsen*
Estela López
Yvette Meléndez
Paul Mounds, Jr. 
Nicole Porter*
JoAnn Price
David M. Roth*
Theodore S. Sergi
Paula Silas Guy
Andrew Worthington

PAN-ASIAN SUB-COMMITTEE

Alan Mattamana, Chair
Susan B. Dunn*
Beatriz Gutierrez*
Mark Overmyer-Velázquez*

OUTSOURCED CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER (OCIO)

Cerity Partners

COUNSEL

Robinson & Cole LLP

BLACK GIVING CIRCLE
FUND STEERING

Christopher Cloud, Chair
Brenda Delgado, Vice Chair
Nakia Hall
Bob Ike
Bradford Meacham
Nicole Miller
Paul Mounds, Jr.
Michelle Strawder

CATALYST ENDOWMENT 
FUND STEERING

Amanda Aronson, Chair
Bill McDonald, Vice Chair
Karen Brown
Kathleen Costello•
Wendy Haller
Chris Morrill
Leslie Ohta
Amy Peltier
Renee Savoie
Terry Schmitt•
Ned Steiger
Kathy Worthington

LATINO ENDOWMENT 
FUND STEERING

Jackie Santiago-Nazario, Chair
Aura Alvarado
Barbara Fernandez
Fany Hannon
Cecilia Kozlowski
Rosaida Morales Rosario
Rita Ortiz
Ana Valentin
Lisa Werkmeister Rozas

SCHOLARSHIP

Shirley P. Boron
Judith Dobai
Carol Dupuis
Dr. Eileen M. Furey
Harvey Kelly
Patrick Laorden
Michelle Mays
Harry Meyer
Susan C. Myers
Wilfredo Nieves
Christine Pandolfe
Laura A. Schuyler
Nicholas Sheridan
Tyrone V. Walker
Trina N. Williams

* Member of Board of Directors
• Ex-officio
Chair