Helen Kennedy Appointed as Executive Director for the New Haven Schools Foundation

The New Haven Schools Foundation (NHSF) today announced the appointment of Helen Kennedy to serve as Executive Director.  Kennedy will be instrumental in key aspects of NHSF’s efforts, including marketing, community relations, and fundraising programs as well as assist with fiscal oversight and board relations.  The executive director job is a part-time position.

“NHSF is extremely excited to have Helen join the Foundation as executive director.  While there were many strong candidates for the position, no other person had Helen’s extensive professional marketing background and her vast community connections, fundraising expertise and experience,” commented Rebecca Venable, NHSF President.

Kennedy’s experience includes Chief Executive Officer for Kennedy Consulting Services LLC, where she is the architect for all client engagements providing extensive marketing, strategic planning, communications, web development and social media services for mid to large size companies and start-ups in a variety of industries, including technology, non-profits, health care, human resources, food and beverages and manufacturing.  

Kennedy is a well-known and highly respected community leader volunteering with several non-profit groups, including serving as president of the Rotary Club of FUN Sunset; Union City Lions Club where she is a current board member and past president; advisor to the Leo Club at James Logan and Moreau Catholic High Schools; and secretary of the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation.  Kennedy also served as president of Union City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee and oversaw efforts that raised over $400,000 and executed 12 large community events over a one year period. 

“I’m excited about helping NHSF to extend its connections and efforts deeper into the community, to further enhance the educational experiences of students in New Haven Unified School District,” said Kennedy.  “Working with youth is one of my strongest interests, so I am delighted to join NHSF as executive director to contribute to this effort.”

Over the past two years, NHSF has donated over $200,000 to fund district co-curricular programs and awarded more than $140,000 in college scholarships from community groups to New Haven students. Over the same time period, NHSF has also provided a number of classroom grants to support innovative teaching programs of New Haven teachers.   

Kennedy is filling the opening created when former NHSF Executive Director, Barbara Aro-Valle resigned to expand her duties with her second employer, Tri-CED Community Recycling.  Aro-Valle remains an active volunteer with NHSF.