Note: On a recent vacation, I caught up with Owen Heleen and Denise Jenkins of the Rhode Island Foundation and grabbed some time to discuss strategic philanthropy.
Our Special Guests:
· Owen Heleen, Vice President, Grant Programs, The Rhode Island Foundation
Owen Heleen, was recently promoted to his current position overseeing all grant programs for The Rhode Island Foundation (TRIF) in Providence. He previously served as Senior Community Philanthropy Officer having joined the TRIF staff nine years ago as Evaluation/Special Projects Officer. During his tenure, Owen has been very involved with "Hispanics in Philanthropy", has managed collaborative programs with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and has served as acting Executive Director of a small community foundation in Massachusetts.
Heleen is also the Foundation’s lead grantmaking staff member for the health sector, with oversight for the new "Fund for a Healthy Rhode Island". Prior to joining the Foundation, Heleen was director of development of the Providence Public Schools and vice president of the Boston-based Institute for Responsive Education. Heleen grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts and holds an undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree from Boston University. In his role overseeing all grant programs for TRIF, Owen works closely with Mr. Neil Steinberg, President, in setting the strategic direction for the foundation.
· Denise M. Jenkins, Grant Program Officer, The Rhode Island Foundation
Denise Jenkins has been a Grant Program Officer at TRIF since February 2007. From 1991 to 2006, she served as head of "School One", an independent high school in Providence. From 1988 to 1990, Denise worked at the "Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island". She currently serves as a commissioner of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a trustee of the Roger Williams University. She earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Barrington College and a degree in nonprofit management from Bryant College. In her role as Grant Program Officer, Ms. Jenkins oversees a range of TRIF grants in education including public charter schools.
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