Community Foundation of Louisville Adds Five Seasoned Business Leaders to Board of Directors
The Community Foundation of Louisville has announced the appointment of five business and community leaders as directors on its governing board. Alex Alvarez, Ellen Call, Ted Nixon, Carl L. Williams Sr. and Jason Zachariah will each serve a three-year term.
“The Community Foundation of Louisville is committed to cultivating a deeper awareness of how philanthropy can offer leadership and support to address our city’s critical needs,” says Ron Gallo, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Louisville. “The broad leadership experience and valuable business acumen Alex, Ellen, Ted, Carl and Jason bring to their new roles on the board will be instrumental in helping us to drive the continued growth and reach of our funding opportunities, and enhance our commitment to service to our community.”
Alex Alvarez is senior vice president, chief production and sustainability officer for Brown-Forman Corp., leading the company’s manufacturing operations and global sustainability initiatives around the world. Prior to his current role, he served as vice president, general manager of Casa Herradura. He is an executive sponsor of Brown-Forman’s BUILD employee resource group, which is dedicated to identifying exceptional African American talent and enhancing the Black experience. Alvarez also sits on the board of trustees for the American Forest Foundation and is a member of the Scotch Whisky Association board of directors. Prior to joining Brown-Forman, he led production operations for General Mills and Procter & Gamble. Originally from Panama, Alvarez holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.
“I am really excited to be joining the board because I believe in the mission of the Community Foundation,” says Alvarez. “I am sure that CFL will continue to make a significant impact in Louisville and will focus our resources on the communities that have been marginalized in the past.”
Ellen Call is director of state government affairs for Charter Communications. She previously served as director of government relations for Time Warner Cable, and director of community relations for its predecessor, Insight Communications. While serving as Metro Councilwoman from 2003 to 2009, she led the repeal of the telecommunications tax and won passage of Louisville’s first smoking ban. Earlier in her career, she served as district director for U.S. Rep Anne Northup, assistant press secretary and legal counsel for the Forgy for Governor of Kentucky Campaign, and practiced law at one of Chicago’s largest firms. Call has a bachelor’s degree in American history from Harvard University and earned her juris doctorate from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. She serves on the boards of Louisville Public Media and Kentucky Strong.
“I am excited to join the CFL board because I believe that the Foundation has the potential to drive transformational investments in the city that I love,” Call says.
Ted Nixon has served as CEO of Louisville-based D.D. Williamson, a global leader in non-artificial food colors, for more than 40 years. He oversees 10 manufacturing facilities around the world. Nixon is highly skilled in production, food and beverage sales and marketing, budgeting, business development, strategic planning and financing. He has served on the board of Koss Corp. and was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization for 33 years. He holds bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from University of Louisville.
“I am excited about joining the CFL board to help us impact those who need it the most,” says Nixon.
Carl L. Williams Sr. is founder, president and CEO of 20/20 Consulting Professionals and executive director of Access Justice. As a former K-12 classroom teacher, K-12 human resources professional, university professor, department chair and private equity CEO, Carl is committed to social, legal, economic and educational justice for all members of the community. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University, a master’s degree in teaching and Rank 1 from Bellarmine University. He has also completed doctoral studies in educational leadership and organizational development at the University of Louisville.
“I am humbled and honored to join the CFL board of directors,” says Williams. “I am excited to get to work with the team and make transformational impact for our amazing city.”
Jason Zachariah is president and COO of Kindred Healthcare, overseeing the company’s hospital division, rehabilitation services and behavioral health. Prior to his appointment as company president in December 2020, Zachariah had served as president of Kindred Rehabilitation Services (KRS) since 2016. In that role, he oversaw the strategic growth of KRS and the creation of a best-in-class joint venture model. Zachariah holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a master’s degree in biotechnology from Northwestern.
“I’m pleased to join the board of the Community Foundation of Louisville and look forward to being a part of their commitment to impact investment in a diverse business, nonprofit and arts community in Louisville,” says Zachariah. “The Foundation has the ability to affect profound change throughout the region, and I am eager to play a small role in extending the impact of charitable giving in our community. In addition to my personal interests, the Foundation’s efforts also align with the work Kindred is doing around inclusion and equity, and mirror our commitment to support the communities we serve, whether through financial support to local nonprofits or educational and career advancement opportunities for our team members.”
For more information, contact Jan Walther, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, at janw@cflouisville.org or 502.648.0761.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE
As a community leader in philanthropy, the Community Foundation of Louisville connects donors, nonprofits and civic partners to create lasting impact so that people and place thrive. Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in Kentucky with more than $700 million in assets and more than 2,200 charitable funds. Each fund has its own charitable purpose as defined by its donors. In 2020, distributions from these funds made over 11,700 grants totaling over $68 million, approximately 82% of which stayed in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to support area nonprofits. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c6b7abcb/95ZzVScSwUuBmnfZLxYpRQ?u=http://www.cflouisville.org/.