AZ foundation names new president, CEO
With the start of a new year comes a new head of a statewide nonprofit devoted to giving back.
The board of directors of the Arizona Community Foundation announced the hiring of Steven G. Seleznow, Ed.D., as the new president and CEO. The announcement was made through a news release Friday.
Seleznow will begin his tenure March 1.
Individuals, families, organizations and businesses establish charitable funds at the Arizona Community Foundation through a variety of philanthropic contributions such as the arts, health and human services, animal welfare, and housing or assisting the poor.
Since its inception in 1978, the Arizona Community Foundation has awarded more than $280 million in grants and scholarships.
An affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation, the Yuma Community Foundation provides similar resources to the Yuma community.
According to the release, Seleznow was selected after a yearlong national search that yielded some 140 candidates, many of them highly qualified to lead the Community Foundation.
He has served the past four years as deputy director of the U.S. Program in Education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, where he led the execution of the organization's five-year, $2.5 billion U.S. education strategy across states, major cities and school districts and networks. According to the release, he managed a portfolio of grants and contracts worth upward of $500 million.
"We selected Steve to lead the Arizona Community Foundation because of his passion for philanthropy, love of Arizona and extensive experiences which have prepared him well to work with our donors, directors, staff and the entire community toward a better tomorrow for our state," said William J. Hodges, chairman of the CEO search committee and vice chair of Arizona Community Foundation board of directors.
According to the release, Seleznow comes to the foundation with more than three decades of experience in education, community development and strategic philanthropy. And as an ardent leader of change and an effective manager of complex organizations, Seleznow is passionate and committed to community philanthropy.
"The Arizona Community Foundation is widely known as one of the strongest and most innovative community foundations in the country," said Seleznow. "I am absolutely thrilled to join the board of directors and staff in serving the organizations, families, donors, affiliates and beneficiaries who have made this great institution such an important and enduring influence on the quality of life for the people of Arizona."
Seleznow earned a doctorate and master's degree from Harvard University, where he studied administration, planning and social policy. He also holds a second master's degree from the University of Maryland and is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston University.
As president and CEO, Seleznow succeeds Robert L. King, who resigned the position in late 2008.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.azfoundation.org.
Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.
