The Connecticut Health Foundation has announced Lina Paredes as its new vice president of program. Paredes will join a dynamic program team to guide the implementation of CT Health’s grant-making strategies and initiatives; oversee evaluation and ensure effectiveness of all grant-making, program related activities and the Health Leadership Fellows program.
“We are delighted to have someone with her background in philanthropy, demonstrated leadership experience, and dedication to lead our efforts to improve the health of people of Connecticut by joining CT Health as a key member of our staff,” said Patricia Baker, president & CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. Her insight and community-level experience will enable CT Health to strengthen its efforts to develop strategic alliances with partners to impact children’s mental health, oral health and racial and ethnic health disparities.
Previously Lina managed an annual $3 million budget as the director of grant-making for the Liberty Hill Foundation based in Los Angeles. The Liberty Hill Foundation promotes social change through its funding of economic, environmental, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and racial justice issues.
Says Paredes, “Improving the health of our communities is at the root of all social change, and this is a critical time for health reform on local and national levels. My personal and professional histories reflect a strong commitment to social and systemic change. Joining CT Health is a natural extension of my work and personal goals. This is an outstanding opportunity to use my skills and foundation experience to add to the momentum of CT Health.”
Lina, who is an alumna of the University of California at Los Angeles, also has served as a training coordinator for the Children’s Institute International (Los Angeles); grant review committee team leader for the Los Angeles Women’s Foundation; facilitator at the National Conference for Community and Justice (Los Angeles); family service center case manager of the Charles R. Drew Head Start (Compton, CA); and a number of other human services positions.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Asia, Lina brings great enthusiasm and commitment and a rich range of experience, including serving on two national boards: the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy and Funders for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues.
“The staff and board of the foundation feel very fortunate to add such an energetic and accomplished member to our team,” said Baker
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Connecticut Health Foundation is the state’s largest independent, philanthropic organization dedicated to improving lives by changing health systems. Since it was established in July 1999, the foundation has supported innovative grant-making, public health policy research, technical assistance and convening to achieve its mission – to improve the health of the people of Connecticut.
Over the past 11 years, CT Health has awarded 539 grants totaling over $42 million in 45 cities and towns throughout the state in three priority areas:
• Improving access to children’s mental health services
• Reducing racial and ethnic health disparities
• Expanding access to and use of children’s oral health services
For more information about the foundation, please visit www.cthealth.org or contact Communications Officer Maryland Grier at Maryland@cthealth.org or 860.224.2200, ext. 32.
