Register Today for 2019 HEFN Annual Meeting & 20th Anniversary

2019 HEFN Annual Meeting Graphic
Join Us in Fresno on Nov. 19-20
Registration is now open for "The Transformative 2020s: Two Decades of Groundwork for a New Decade of Change," HEFN's 2019 Annual Meeting and 20th anniversary celebration. Come to Fresno, California -- near Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks -- to chart what’s needed to transform communities and phi...

Help Bring HEFN FORWARD into the Future

HEFN 2018 Annual Meeting Images
HEFN FORWARD celebrates HEFN’s 20th Anniversary
This new campaign is investing in this nimble network’s capacity to mobilize philanthropy for environmental health and justice solutions in the critical years ahead. Join us by contributing.

Leadership Transitions

Amy Panek and Jalonne White-Newsome, HEFN's Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Inviting Your Thoughts on HEFN's Dynamic Next Chapter
HEFN co-chairs Amy Panek and Jalonne White-Newsome invite input and advice for a smooth transition as they share "with gratitude for her remarkably steady hand and presence through the years" that Kathy Sessions will step down as Executive Director in the summer of 2019.
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Welcome

Kathy Sessions
A HEFN Farewell
July 27, 2019, Kathy Sessions
In 1999, Michael Lerner at the Jenifer Altman Foundation and his colleagues were concerned that the health of people, wildlife, and ecosystems all were being harmed by toxic...
Children Playing
New ‘Lead Funders Action Network’ Aligns Philanthropic Efforts for Children’s...
June 13, 2019, Daniel Cohn and Rebecca Morley
A new Lead Funders Action Network brings together national, regional...
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Who We Are

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Kathy Sessions
HEFN Executive Director
Kathy Sessions is HEFN's Executive Director. In 1999 Kathy helped funders create HEFN, and she has worked to build HEFN and environmental health and justice philanthropy ever since.  She oversees HEFN’s programs and services, working closely with staff, funder leaders, and members.
Andrea Bretting Photo
Andrea Bretting
Steering Committee Member
Andrea Bretting joined the Claneil Foundation in 2008, bringing with her many years of experience with local, national and international nonprofits. She began her career in Philadelphia as a community social worker. While liv
Jake Mogan
Steering Committee Member
Jake is a Program Associate within the Energy program at The 11th Hour Project, where he works to reduce the public health and ecological impacts of antiquated energy systems in the US. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master of Social Work degree from Boston College.
Ogonnaya Dotson Newman
Steering Committee Member
Ogonnaya Dotson Newman is a program officer in the Environment program at The JPB Foundation. JPB’s mission is to advance opportunity in the US through transformational initiatives that empower those living in poverty, enrich and sustain our environment, and enable pioneering medical research.
Andrea Levinson
Program Assistant
Andrea Levinson joined HEFN as its Program Assistant in July of 2011. She manages HEFN’s membership program, updates and maintains the HEFN website, prepares E-newsletters, assists with meeting program development, schedules conference calls and meetings, provides research support, and performs...
Amy Panek
Steering Committee Member
Amy Panek serves as Senior Program Officer for the Park Foundation’s Environment Program, with its grant-making focused on ensuring drinking water in the United States is clean, affordable and accessible, and is protected and managed as a public good.  The Foundation supports organizations working...
Ellen Braff-Guajardo
Steering Committee Member
Ellen Braff-Guajardo, based in Fresno, California, is a Senior Program Officer with the Sierra Health Foundation.
Jalonne White-Newsome
Steering Committee Member
Jalonne White-Newsome is senior program officer at The Kresge Foundation, responsible for the Environment Program’s grant portfolio on sustainable water resources management in a changing climate. Jalonne also leads the foundation’s work addressing the intersection of climate change and public...

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