NEW BRITAIN, CT -- The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has elected three new board members to join the Foundation’s already-strong team of volunteers. Elected to serve new multi-year board terms were John Cookley, Dr. Camelia Lawrence, and Dr. Zulma Toro.
John E. Cookley serves as the Regional Vice President of the Greater New Britain / Waterbury region in Connecticut. Based in New Britain, he manages TD Bank’s regional and small business lenders who service commercial customers located predominately in Central and Northwest Connecticut. John is currently President of the Central Connecticut Revolving loan fund and is a former trustee and past President of the Regional Environmental Learning Centers. Cookley also serves on the board of the Foundation’s supporting organization, the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin.
Dr. Camelia Lawrence, MD, FACS is a board-certified surgeon specializing in benign and malignant breast disease. She serves as Assistant Professor of Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, University of Connecticut where she works with medical students and surgical residents nurturing her personal interest in teaching and education of the future generation. Dr. Lawrence believes in the importance of service and volunteers her services locally through numerous organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Women Physicians of Fairfield County, CT DPH Breast Medical Advisory Board, The Discovery Museum Board of Trustees and City Lights Gallery of Bridgeport Board.
Dr. Zulma Toro is the 13th President of Central Connecticut State University, the oldest publicly supported institution of higher education in Connecticut. She is the first female and first Hispanic president in Central’s history. With an exceptional record of creating, fostering, and developing community engagement programs and activities, President Toro has a legacy of working with state legislators to enhance the social, economic, and cultural impact of higher education.
“The Foundation is so very pleased to have Dr. Lawrence, Dr. Toro and Mr. Cookley join our Board,” said Lynn Ricci, Hospital for Special Care President, Chief Executive Officer and Community Foundation Board Chair. “We look forward to working with each of them as our organization continues to make a growing and positive impact in the communities we serve.”
The three new board members are to be officially welcomed at the first board meeting, on February 13th while retiring members, Larry Tanner and Leo Gagne were thanked for their service at the final 2018 meeting in December.
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership.
###
Contact:
Kimberly Duncan
Communications & Donor Relations Manager
Community Foundation for Greater New Britain
860-229-6018, ext. 302
kduncan@cfgnb.org
Website: www.cfgnb.org.