December 12, 2024 —The Kendal Charitable Funds board comprises a diverse group of individuals working together to transform the experience of aging. Board members offer a variety of expertise and experiences that help provide a strong foundation as the organization continues to grow. In this post, we highlight two dedicated members, Jeffrey Harness and Carla Willis.
Jeffrey Harness, Vice-Chair of Kendal Charitable Funds
Jeffrey Harness, Vice Chair of Kendal Charitable Funds, has over 30 years of experience in health communications and is currently serving his second term on the board.
He spent 34 years at Cooley Dickinson Health Care Corporation in Northampton, Massachusetts. As Chief Community Relations and Communications Officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Jeffrey held responsibilities in community and government relations, community health, diversity, equity and inclusion, and more.
Jeffrey is immensely proud of his involvement in creating the Pioneer Valley Memory Care Initiative, a free community-based program focused on offering individualized care for memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
At Kendal Charitable Funds, Jeffrey is also Chair of the Development Committee, which works to raise awareness of the organization’s mission and form corporate partnerships that allow for greater community impact.
“Throughout my career in the healthcare field, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that compassionate health and wellness services can have on older adults,” Jeffrey says. “At Kendal Charitable Funds, I can continue to support new and rewarding ways to support the aging population.”
Carla Willis’ Commitment to Kendal Charitable Funds
Carla Willis, Board Secretary of Kendal Charitable Funds, is a lifelong professional in the higher education field and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic advancement to the board.
She is a managing principal at Washburn & McGoldrick, a consulting firm that assists higher education and independent school institutions with comprehensive fundraising campaigns, campaign readiness assessments, strategic planning, marketing, volunteer and board development, and alumni and donor relations.
Throughout her seasoned career, Carla has worked with liberal arts schools, law schools and medical centers of all sizes, facilitated campaigns ranging from $40 million to $7 billion and worked to secure major gifts on behalf of universities across the country. At Kendal Charitable Funds, Carla facilitates the process of identifying, endorsing, nominating and advancing prospective board members to curate a balanced board of diverse talent. She also serves as Co-Chair on the Nominating Committee.
Carla taps into her diverse network and strong relationships with the goal of building a diverse board dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of older adults. “Serving on the Kendal Charitable Funds board allows me to fulfill a personal mission,” shares Carla. “I cherish the opportunity to learn about the diverse issues affecting the aging population from the residents, staff and community members of Kendal Affiliates. As we continue to grow, I look forward to seeing Kendal Charitable Funds continue creating impact within Kendal and beyond.”
Making a Difference One Volunteer at a Time
Kendal Charitable Funds remains grateful to Board Members like Jeffrey and Carla, who are committed to helping carry out the mission of transforming the experience of aging through their unique skill sets and passions.
Kendal Charitable Funds is always seeking prospective board members with diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are interested in exploring this possibility, please contact us at https://www.kendal.org/about-kendal/contact-kendal/.