Dr. Hanh Cao Yu
Center for Evaluation Innovation
The Center for Evaluation Innovation welcomed Dr. Hanh Cao Yu as its new Executive Director, effective October 1, 2024. Dr. Yu will lead all aspects of CEI’s efforts in partnering with philanthropy to provide changemakers the space and resources needed to advance racial justice and create an equitable future.
Dr. Yu’s career has spanned the research, evaluation, and philanthropy sectors. She brings almost 30 years of experience in racial equity and social change philanthropy, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, policy advocacy evaluation, community organizing, and working with vulnerable populations.
Over the last year, Dr. Yu has served as editor-in-chief of special issues for The Foundation Review, where she has overseen the 15th anniversary issue publications and led a strategic assessment and reimagination of this peer-reviewed journal with an equity focus. Prior to that, Dr. Yu spent seven years as Chief Learning Officer at The California Endowment (TCE) where she led the foundation’s learning, strategy development, and evaluation efforts. Before joining TCE, Dr. Yu spent 20 years with Social Policy Research Associates, a nationally recognized research, evaluation, and technical assistance firm.
Dr. Yu is a widely recognized national leader on philanthropic learning and evaluation and has served on the board of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, as an Ambassador for the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, and on the National Academy of Science’s Roundtable on Population Health Improvement. Dr. Yu holds a Ph.D. in Education Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University and a B.S. in Business and Finance Economics from the University of Southern California.
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Ameya Pawar, Roshonda Johnson, and Gina Massuda Barnett
Michael Reese Health Trust
Michael Reese Health Trust welcomed Ameya Pawar as its new President and CEO, Rashonda Johnson as its new Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, and Gina Massuda Barnett as its new Program Director, Health Workforce.
With 15 years of experience in senior leadership positions across government, non-profit advocacy, think tanks, and the private sector, Pawar brings a steadfast commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, which provides a strong foundation for leading the strategic vision for Michael Reese’s long-term growth, impact in the community, and delivery of its mission.
As the Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, Johnson will manage current Michael Reese strategic initiatives and support the development of new and emerging health projects that support community-led innovation and power-building. Johnson will also manage the Health First Collaborative (HFC), a collaboration of funding partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders working together to strengthen public health infrastructure through grantmaking, advocacy, and learning.
As the Program Director, Health Workforce, Barnett will play a pivotal role in driving the foundation’s mission to strengthen the health workforce and integrate community health workers permanently into the public health system. Barnett will leverage the trusted expertise and lived experiences of community health workers to enhance the health and well-being of Chicagoland communities.
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