The Guilford Foundation Appoints New Board Chair, Welcomes 3 New Members

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Foundation has named Chris Hodgson as its new board chair and added three new members to its board of directors: Kristopher Cricchi, Julie Paquette, and NiCole Schlagheck.

The appointments reflect the foundation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and further its mission to support community enrichment through grants, scholarships, and local initiatives.

"The TGF Board is pivotal in guiding our strategic vision, ensuring financial integrity, advancing our grantmaking initiatives, and broadening our network of supporters," said Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra in a prepared statement. "We are thrilled to welcome individuals who not only share a deep passion for Guilford but are also dedicated to fostering its growth and prosperity."

Cricchi, a Guilford native and the 1st Vice President and Controller at Ascend Bank (formerly GSB), brings more than a decade of experience in finance and risk management. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he is known for his leadership in the banking industry and his commitment to community service.

Paquette, an expert in sustainability and energy management, is director of engineering & energy management and a lecturer at Yale University. With over 20 years in the field, she has also served in volunteer roles at Sustainable Step New England and Sustainable Guilford, bringing extensive experience in high-performance building technologies and project management to the foundation.

Schlagheck, manager of business process improvement at Henry Schein, has a background in operations optimization and problem-solving. Her community service includes leadership roles with The Guilford Foundation Fund for Education, Guilford Youth Mentoring, and other local organizations.

Hodgson, a senior partner at Berchem Moses practicing labor and employment law, has served on the foundation’s board for six years. As the former chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, he led efforts to enhance board effectiveness and recruitment.

The foundation also recognized the contributions of outgoing board chair Alexander Sulpasso and development committee member Betsy Gribble, both of whom joined the board in 2019. During their tenure, the foundation’s net assets increased from $2.9 million to $7.9 million, and annual grant distributions rose from $145,000 to $359,000.

"We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and dedication that Alex and Betsy have provided to the Guilford Foundation," Petra said in a prepared statement. "Their vision has helped us grow significantly and set a solid foundation for the next 50+ years. We welcome our new Board members. These experienced and passionate individuals underscore our commitment to expanding our community impact."

More information about the Guilford Foundation and its board of directors is available at guilfordfoundation.org.