Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Announces New Board Members

Thursday, August 3, 2017

NORWALK, CT -- In order to make long-lasting, impactful changes in the communities across Fairfield County, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation searches far and wide for board members who truly reflect the goals and mission of the organization. Recognizing the need for those with special talents who can be creative and dedicate their knowledge and ability to enhance our diverse objectives, the Community Foundation has proudly announced the addition of three new board members.

The new Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board members were elected to serve a three-year term. They include: Liz Lazarus of Greenwich, Preston Tisdale of Trumbull and Johnna Torsone of Stamford.  They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help make an impact throughout the region.  They are leaders in their sectors and in the community at large and are actively involved with nonprofits in Fairfield County and across the country.

“Given Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s vision for a community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we connect and engage a broad cross section of stakeholders throughout the county. Our strategy is to anticipate needs, amplify knowledge and proficiency, and inspire philanthropy while building capacity and effectiveness,” states CEO and President of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Juanita James. “Thus we are honored that Liz Lazarus, Preston Tisdale and Johnna Torsone have committed to serving on the Board at the Community Foundation and look forward to the impact they will help us make as a result of their dedication to our organization, as well as, their passion and talent.”

Concentrating the development and implementation of innovative, collaborative solutions for the distinct needs of Fairfield County’s community, the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board is representative of the resources, skills and capacity that comprise this area.  Together, we thrive.

About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation New Board Members

Liz Lazarus has been an active member of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Fund for Women & Girls since 2012.  She initially began her involvement as a member of the Program Committee and then joined the Steering Committee. Liz also serves on the NY Regional Board for UNICEF USA Fund.  Prior to moving to Connecticut in 2011, Liz served on the Board of Directors of Zoo Atlanta; Skyland Trail/George West Mental Health Foundation; The Schenck School and Camp Sunshine, all in Atlanta, Georgia.

Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of the Villa Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis, Missouri, her native city.   Her professional career experience includes 14 years in marketing and sales in the financial services industry in New York.  As a resident of Greenwich, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is honored to have Liz Lazarus as a member of the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board. Her marketing skills and dedication will be an invaluable addition to the organization.

Preston Tisdale is an attorney at the law firm, Koskoff, Koskoff & Beider in Bridgeport, CT. Prior to joining KKB, he spent twenty-eight years practicing criminal defense law, directing the Fairfield Judicial District Public Defender’s Office and serving as the first director of special public defenders for the State of Connecticut.

A 1973 Brown University graduate and a proud Brown parent, Tisdale concentrated his studies in public policy and was a member of the Afro-American Society, Rites & Reasons Theatre, and the Pre-Law Society. He holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Currently, Preston is a board member and president of the Brown Alumni Association. He is past president of Brown's Inman Page Black Alumni Council and served on the University’s advisory councils on admission and diversity, the President’s Leadership Council as well as on the Brown Club of Fairfield County and the Association of Class Leaders. He received the first Joseph M. Fernandez '85 Award for bringing diverse alumni together to make a positive contribution to the University community.

Additionally, Preston is an executive committee member of the Public Justice Foundation board of directors and serves on the Connecticut Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. He served as Corporate Secretary of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Board and as chair of the Regional Youth/Adult Social Action Partnership and he is the recipient of the NAACP Distinguished Service Award.

We anticipate Preston’s diverse knowledge and community involvement to be a great asset in a wide variety of areas of impact at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Preston lives in Bridgeport, CT.

Johnna Torsone is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Pitney Bowes. As a member of Pitney Bowes’ senior management leadership team and staff liaison for several committees of the Board of Directors, Johnna provides important strategic and operational guidance in the human resources area.  The scope of her responsibilities includes the development of HR business strategies, strategic talent management and succession planning, diversity, total rewards and analytics, employee relations and shared professional and transactional services. She currently serves as Chair of the Pitney Bowes Foundation. Prior to joining Pitney Bowes, Johnna was a law partner in New York City where she practiced employment and labor law for 14 years. 

Johnna is a member of the National Academy of Human Resources and serves or has served in leadership positions on several non-profit boards including the Human Resources Policy Association, the Albany Law School, Westport Country Playhouse, INROADS, and Stamford Hospital.  She also serves or served on the boards of the American Health Policy Institute in Washington, DC and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. Previously, she was the Chair of the Business Council of Fairfield County’s Health Care Policy Committee.

Johnna graduated from Vassar College and Albany Law School. In 2015 she was recognized by Human Resource Executive Magazine as one of the most powerful woman in Human Resources and also received a lifetime achievement award from HRO Magazine.

Johnna ‘s expertise in human resources is a welcome addition to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board. She resides in Stamford, CT.

About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Community Foundation is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards and has awarded over $212 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. As a trusted nonprofit partner and thought leader, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation brings together community organizers, business experts and philanthropists to solve our region’s challenges. Our goal is to create a vital and inclusive community, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

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Contact:

Helen L. Koven
Helen L. Koven, LLC
203-273-4410
HLKoven@aol.com

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