Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

Statewide Director of Community Engagement

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Jack Lusk and Sabrina Stoker
Harris Rand Lusk
260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor New York, NY 10016

Please put “MCHF” in the subject line of your e-mailed application.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation seeks a Statewide Director of Community Engagement who will create opportunities for the Foundation to serve as a leader and trusted partner in solving New York’s complex community health challenges. The ideal candidate will be an experienced community organizer and manager with a blended background in both New York State government and nonprofit leadership. This Director will have the ability to navigate public systems and community networks in a way that will advance the Foundation’s mission of providing grants to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of diverse communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and Engagement, the Director will develop and implement strategic initiatives that:
Provide community members with meaningful opportunities for engagement with the Foundation and other partners;
Create forums for community members to learn about emerging community health needs;
Organize events and represent the Foundation in public settings;
Lead, motivate, and develop the Community Engagement team, strengthening individual capabilities and evolving the team into a high-performing, mission-aligned unit.

Qualified candidates will have demonstrated experience building community collaborations, strong communications skills, and a deep understanding of the vitality and diversity of New York State—particularly the issues affecting the communities served by the Foundation. Success in this role requires a high level of integrity, sound judgement, and a strong commitment to community service, as well as alignment with the mission and values of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

• Leverage government and nonprofit experience to build strategic relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, and public agencies across New York State.
• Design and implement feedback mechanisms that inform grantmaking and shape the Foundation’s broader support strategies beyond funding.
• Organize events, campaigns, and programs that build community and foster collaborations to address health challenges facing underserved New Yorkers. Represent the Foundation at community meetings, public forums, and policy discussions, ensuring visibility and credibility across sectors.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of engagement programs, using insights from both government and nonprofit contexts.

• Collaborate with internal teams to align engagement efforts with organizational goals.
• Together with the communications team, develop and execute communications strategies—including newsletters, alerts, social media, and reports—to support internal and external collaborations and engagement.
• Supervise and mentor four Community Engagement professionals, managing day-to-day operations and nurturing team growth.
• Create and implement a team development plan to build skills in community engagement, regional health knowledge, and strategic collaboration.
• Support professional development by creating opportunities for the Community Engagement team to deepen their understanding of New York’s regional demographics and emerging health needs across the 10 Empire State Development Regions.
• Foster a team culture of continuous learning and shared ownership, encouraging innovation and cross-regional collaboration.

• Bachelor’s Degree required—advanced degree in public health, political science, public administration, or a related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years of experience in community-building and organizing within New York State government and non-profit sectors.
• Proven…