Executive Director, Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame

Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Seeks Executive Director

About Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame

Founded in 1994, the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) is the state’s premier organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and sharing the stories of women who have shaped Connecticut’s history and future. With approximately 150 Inductees and three decades of impact, CWHF exists to ensure that women and girls of all ages see themselves reflected as leaders, innovators, and changemakers—and are inspired to recognize their own limitless potential.

The jewel in the crown of CWHF has been its Induction Ceremony to recognize and honor a Connecticut native and/or resident who has been the first (historic or living) to achieve recognition in her field of endeavor or to have made a significant contribution to arts, athletics, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science, education, etc.

In addition, through a dynamic portfolio of statewide programs, CWHF has filled critical gaps left by traditional curricula, bringing women’s history to life through education, storytelling, and public engagement. In addition, CWHF also advances opportunity through initiatives like the Eileen Kraus Scholarship awarded annually to a young woman entering an institution of higher education.

In 2025, CWHF embarked on a Reimagining Year, a time of planning, outreach, and reinventing to ensure the Hall is as inspiring and relevant for the next 30 years as it has been for the last. CWHF temporarily paused the educational programs, and the Induction Ceremony, so we could listen deeply, think boldly, and design the Hall’s future with intention. CWHF’s goal is simple and ambitious: to bring its programs, services, and partnerships fully into the 21st century so that even more girls and women can imagine bigger futures for themselves and connect with the stories of extraordinary Connecticut women.

CWHF is overseen by a Board of Trustees comprised of female leaders in the state. With an historic annual operating budget ranging from $300,000 to more than $500,000, CWHF is in transition and currently under interim leadership. The Executive Director will be charged with executing the reimagined vision for CWHF through raising financial support to scale the impact to deliver on CWHF’s reimagined mission.

Opportunity Going Forward and Priorities

As the Executive Director, reimagine yourself spearheading Connecticut’s premier organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and sharing the stories of women who have shaped its history while educating and inspiring the next generation of history makers. The Executive Director will provide dynamic leadership and drive philanthropic efforts for a reimagined CWHF. Priorities for the Executive Director include:

• Fostering resource development statewide by building, expanding, and stewarding external relationship with funders.
• Working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to refine, develop, and implement a new strategic vision and implementing the ideal organizational structure to deliver on that vision.
• Providing leadership, vision, and direction to CWHF by setting its operational and cultural tone.
• Promoting CWHF through community outreach to build awareness and grow support.
• Leading, empowering, and mentoring staff, volunteers, and external consultants.

Specific Responsibilities

Advancement and Community Relations

• Create and implement a strategic and robust development plan that utilizes diverse fundraising tools including CWHF’s annual Induction Ceremony and other fundraising strategies to meet CWHF’s annual fundraising goals in support of its mission and vision.
• Foster relationships with individuals, inductees, media, foundations, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations to grow visibility and increase financial support.
• Develop and implement a strategic communications and public relations plan that reflects CWHF’s mission, telling the stories of Connecticut women who broke barriers to educate and inspire youth and adults.

Strategic Implementation Planning and Governance

• Drive long-term strategic implementation planning with measurable goals in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure a sustainable business plan is in place to financially support the overall mission, vision, values, and goals of CWHF.
• Engage Trustees to maximize their participation in CWHF and their contribution toward its success and growth.
• Support Trustees and committee chairs to create agendas as well as schedule and prepare for meetings, providing timely information to Trustees so they can make informed decisions at, and in between, board meetings.
• Serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and other board committees, attending and actively participating in all Board and Executive Committee meetings.

Program and Event Management

• Oversee the planning of induction ceremonies, special events, and educational programs and/or exhibits in alignment with CWHF’s mission and goals.
• Establish measurable goals for all events and programs.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Credentials:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, education, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of senior leadership experience within a nonprofit.
• Passion for women and girls empowerment.

Skills and Qualities:

• Experience managing a nonprofit of similar size with a track record of successful fundraising.
• Enthusiasm for and achievement in fundraising with the ability to be creative and innovative in developing unique approaches to fundraising and volunteer management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, collaborate, negotiate, compromise, and network with diverse audiences.
• Experience working with the media and communicating vision and mission of an organization in print and on camera.
• An entrepreneurial spirit with a “roll up your sleeves” mentality, the ability to take initiative, and the tenacity to make things happen.
• Proactive, intellectually curious, and innovative, with the ability to think strategically, consider options, prioritize, and make choices to CWHF’s benefit.
• Solid administrative skills with the ability to focus, analyze projects, and create and implement plans.
• Experience and knowledge working with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, and donor management software (DonorPerfect preferred).
• Excellent judgement, demonstrating decisiveness and resourcefulness to anticipate and respond to opportunities and to maintain poise under pressure.
• Proven financial management skills including experience developing and managing budgets.
• High integrity with the ability to create a work culture that is humane, personable, inclusive, equitable, and collaborative.
• Skilled listener graciously willing to consider all opinions to make informed decisions.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a 30-hour, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary range of $75,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits negotiable. CWHF currently operates as a hybrid organization, with offices currently located on the Southern Connecticut State University campus in New Haven.

Application Process and Additional Information

CWHF is an equal opportunity employer, and the position is open to all who meet the qualifications. CWHF is committed to fostering an environment free of discrimination against anyone based on any protected characteristic.

Candidate must include a resume and a cover letter, both in PDF format, which describe how qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of CWHF. A background check will be required for finalists. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

This executive search is being facilitated by Eos Transition Partners, and all submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential. Any questions can be submitted to Susan Dunn at sdunn@cwhf.org.