Brenda Goins, Executive Director of Salem Health & Wellness Foundation, Announces Retirement

Paul DiLorenzo Assumes Role Effective October 3, 2022

CARNEYS POINT, NJ – After 19-years of dedicated service to Salem County residents, Brenda Goins, Executive Director of Salem Health Wellness Foundation, has announced her retirement.

Under Goins’ leadership, the Foundation has expanded its areas of interest to include the Matching Gift Program; funding opportunities to establish Breakfast After the Bell in local schools; a nonprofit capacity building program, Rebound to Resiliency; and the Healthy Kids Bright Futures initiative that serves children and their families.

Goins also established working relationships with many foundations and agencies across the state. Collaborating with the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network brought funding opportunities for local nonprofits and municipalities to make needed physical improvements to surrounding areas. Partnerships were forged with New Jersey Health Initiatives of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, South Jersey Funders Collaborative and the New Jersey Department of Health which brought additional funding to the county in support of nonprofits who serve Salem County residents.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are deeply grateful for Brenda’s unwavering service to the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation,” said Ralph Thomas, chair of the board of trustees. “Brenda is an outstanding leader who has led the Foundation to broaden its areas of interest encapsulating various new avenues for funding. She has led the Foundation through its first strategic plan establishing the Healthy Kids, Bright Futures initiative. Salem County has benefited from Brenda’s vision and stewardship as leader of the Foundation. The Board and the Foundation’s staff wish Brenda all the best as she prepares to enter this new chapter in her life.”

Succeeding Goins is Paul DiLorenzo who will assume the Executive Director position on October 3, 2022.

According to Board Chair Ralph Thomas, “After an exhaustive four-month national search, conducted by Nancy Burd, The Burd Group, from which we received nearly 100 resumes, Paul’s career-defining leadership and expertise rose to our attention. We are pleased to have someone with his experience join us in our critical work.”

DiLorenzo comes to the Foundation after a four-decade career in human services and child welfare. Starting as a caseworker with families in the child welfare system, he held a series of senior level administrative roles in state and local government, the non-profit sector and in project management for federally funded multi-state efforts. He was also a Senior Director for Strategic Consulting at Casey Family Programs, the country’s largest foundation devoted solely to the improvement of the child welfare system.

DiLorenzo has served on multiple boards and advisory groups, as well as commissions that have developed systems improvement strategies. He has published extensively and has been a speaker at many conferences and professional events throughout the country.  He is also a Senior Fellow at Child Welfare League of America.

“I am fortunate and excited to have this new opportunity and look forward to build on the Foundation’s history and strong reputation,” said DiLorenzo.  “My priority will be to strengthen the foundation’s existing partnerships and to identify a fresh group of individuals and organizations who share the foundation’s vision and mission related to health and well-being.”

DiLorenzo attended undergraduate school at St Joseph’s University, received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University and a Master’s Degree from Bryn Mawr College in Law and Social Policy.

About Salem Health and Wellness Foundation

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation was founded in 2002 for the purpose of promoting the health and wellness of Salem County, New Jersey residents. The Foundation has made a profound impact on the community by providing over $58 million in grants, contributions, and scholarships to more than 60 organizations, to address health problems in Salem County.

For more information, visit www.salemwellnessfoundation.org