Phoenixville Community Health Foundation selects new leader
PHOENIXVILLE >> Tamela Luce has been named the new president and CEO of the Phoenixville Health Foundation, effective Aug. 5.
Her appointment was announced by Phoenixville Community Health Foundation’s board of directors, and follows a formal search that began in October 2018.
She will replace retiring President and CEO Louis J. Beccaria.
Luce brings more than 20 years of philanthropic experience to her new role, according to a press release. She spent more than seven years as the senior program officer for HealthSpark Foundation, a private foundation that works with health and human services organizations in Montgomery County.
Prior to that role, Luce served as director of grantmaking for Women’s Way; one of the nation’s oldest and largest women’s funding organizations.
“The board is excited to bring such a well-respected and seasoned philanthropic leader to Phoenixville. Tamela has an innovative spirit and a deep knowledge of how to strengthen our network of grantees and partner organizations. She knows how to bring people together from the nonprofit sector, government and the business community to create better healthcare access and health outcomes for all residents, including the most vulnerable members of our region,” said John Colarusso, chairman of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation’s board of directors, adding that Luce will be responsible for the organization’s strategic plan, and ensuring that our grants and programs reflect the changing needs of the Greater Phoenixville region.”
While at HealthSpark, Luce worked to improve nutrition and food access for vulnerable populations in Montgomery County. She established a countywide network of emergency food providers and spearheaded the creation of the MontCo AntiHunger Network, a coalition of hunger relief organizations, the region’s food bank and county government officials.
“The board knew the importance of selecting the right candidate to lead our organization into the next decade while meeting the changing needs of our community,” Kathryn Evans, executive director of Church Housing Corp., board secretary and search committee chairwoman, added in the release. “It was a nine-month process that brought us to Tamela. Her experience, expertise, and excitement will positively impact the future of the Foundation and our community,”
Luce holds a Master of Public Administration degree, with a concentration in nonprofit management, from West Chester University; and a bachelor’s degree in Institutions and Policy from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO.