For Immediate Release

JAMES R. KNICKMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NEW YORK STATE HEALTH FOUNDATION, AND NADYA K. SHMAVONIAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF FOUNDATION INITIATIVES, ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION, JOIN THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cambridge, MA — James R. Knickman, president and CEO of the New York State Health Foundation, and Nadya K. Shmavonian, vice president of strategy at the Rockefeller Foundation, have been elected to three-year terms on CEP's Board of Directors. Knickman's term began in January, 2008, and Shmavonian's term begins in July, 2008.

Both Knickman and Shmavonian bring a wealth of foundation experience to their new roles. Before joining the NYS Health Foundation, Knickman served as vice president of research and evaluation at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where he led internal assessments of the Foundation's grantmaking goals. He also served on the faculty of New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service for sixteen years. In addition, Knickman has co-authored a textbook on health policy and management, a topic that reflects his long-term commitment to improving the care of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the homeless. 

"As one of the country's most respected foundation evaluators, Jim Knickman brings a unique perspective to his role as CEO, and he is a tremendous addition to our Board of Directors," said Phil Giudice, chair of CEP's Board of Directors. 

Shmavonian has served for three years at Rockefeller, where she has played a key role in a major strategic refocus. Shmavonian's experience includes twelve years at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where she held a variety of positions, including executive vice president, director of administration, and program officer. Between her tenures at Pew and Rockefeller, Shmavonian also worked as an independent consultant both domestically and internationally. She developed strategies and advised numerous senior executives, as well as the boards of over 30 foundations and nonprofits.

"Nadya Shmavonian has worked on the front lines of dramatic change processes within both foundations and nonprofits. She'll be a great addition to our board," said Giudice.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY
The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide data and create insight so philanthropic funders can better define, assess, and improve their effectiveness and impact. CEP received initial funding in 2001 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information on CEP's work, including its research, publications, and assessment tools, see www.effectivephilanthropy.org.