DENVER – As Erin Brown assumes the role of chief impact officer (CIO), The Colorado Health Foundation today announced the appointment of Jennifer Chheang as the vice president of community investment and impact (VP of CII).
Brown began as CIO on July 1, 2024, following Amy Latham’s departure from the Foundation. As CIO, Brown oversees all programmatic strategies related to grantmaking, impact investing and policy advocacy in service of the Foundation's mission to improve the health of Coloradans.
She brings over 25 years of leadership experience directing community initiatives and civic programs. Prior to joining the Foundation, Brown was the deputy chief of staff for the City and County of Denver under Mayor Michael B. Hancock and held an expanded role as Denver’s first chief equity officer.
Most recently, Brown served as the VP of CII for the Foundation, where she led the Community Investment and Impact Department, which is responsible for the deployment and impact of grants and community investments to organizations working to break down barriers to health across the state. “When I joined the Foundation as the VP of CII in the summer of 2021, the world was still grappling with the COVID pandemic and deep social inequities,” said Brown. “I am proud that my colleagues and I remained steadfast in working to address these challenges while deepening the Foundation’s commitment to centering race in our work and supporting communities in their efforts to improve the health and well-being of Coloradans.”
“Erin is an asset to the Foundation. I am excited that she has moved into the CIO position, and I look forward to working alongside her to positively impact the health of Coloradans and to foster a strong organizational culture,” said Karen McNeil-Miller, president and CEO of the Foundation.
“I am also excited to announce that Jennifer will succeed Erin in the role of VP of CII and will be joining us on the executive team in the fall,” added McNeil-Miller. “She has vast experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and is a proven leader with a commitment to health equity, racial justice and supporting communities who have been historically overlooked.”
Currently, Chheang is the managing director of grantmaking effectiveness with The California Endowment. In this role, she has been responsible for aligning the Endowment’s program and operations functions with its values of health equity and racial justice. She is also the co-lead of the development of the Robert K. Ross Center for Hope and Healing, an affordable and supportive housing community, and has facilitated the deployment of resources from the Endowment’s $300 million Social Bond.
Chheang worked with The California Endowment for 13 years, holding various positions. She began her career with a nonprofit organization serving Cambodian refugees and later moved to a governmental grantmaking organization addressing early childhood. “My career is focused on centering communities who have been most impacted by health and racial injustices,” said Chheang. “I have been guided by one question, ‘How do we shift power toward individuals who have been disenfranchised so that they can create the positive changes they need to live healthy lives.’”
Chheang will relocate to Colorado and assume the VP of CII role in early September. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Foundation and support its health equity and racial justice efforts.”