The Cambridge Community Foundation is powered by the people who join us in building a more vibrant, just, and equitable Cambridge. Today, we’re excited to welcome four new members of the CCF family, bringing fresh perspective and deep commitment to our work:
Ellen Varney, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Ellen joins CCF as chief financial officer and treasurer. Most recently, Ellen served as CFOO for Our Generation Speaks, a “people accelerator” that brings together emerging Israeli and Palestinian leaders committed to shaping a peaceful future built on trust. Previously, Ellen was CFO for The Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions, an organization serving the Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals.
Ellen holds an M.A. in Economics from the University of Memphis and a B.A. from the University of Maine.
She serves on the board of Pact, a global nonprofit with experience in nearly 60 countries, fostering thriving, resilient communities that chart their own development paths.
She is an avid gardener and sometimes birder.
Kathy Gasperine, CCF Professional Advisors Council (PAC)
Kathy is Amalgamated Bank’s first vice president, Social Impact Banking, New England Region and is a relationship manager for Amalgamated’s commercial banking clients across nonprofit, advocacy, and sustainability sectors.
Across her two decades of professional experience in growth management, strategic advising, and fundraising Kathy joined Amalgamated Bank to establish the Boston Commercial Banking presence in 2020. A veteran of the three US presidential and national campaigns, Kathy recognizes the importance of forging strong relationships and building teams and processes centered on growth. She previously held national fundraising and leadership roles for President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Governor Deval Patrick.
She serves as the Board Chair of Reproductive Equity Now, on the Advisory Boards of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, BLabs Boston, and Higher Ground Labs. Kathy graduated from Ithaca College with a dual bachelor’s degree in Politics and Organizational Communication from the Park School of Communications. She lives in Concord, Massachusetts, with her family.
Joanna Mawhinney, Senior Manager, Programs and Grantmaking
Joanna helps advance the Foundation’s strategic plan through implementing grantmaking initiatives and nonprofit support. In her most recent role, she led grant writing, research and evaluation, and communication initiatives for CTAC.
Previously, she managed programs and technical assistance for education to workforce pathways at Jobs for the Future. She began her career as an AmeriCorps member serving in Title I schools. Joanna holds a master’s in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.
Joanna is a longtime Cambridge resident and enjoys discovering hidden gems among the city’s many little free libraries.
Saynab Maalin, Grant Operations Associate
Saynab joins CCF as the grant operations associate. Prior to this, she interned at two think tanks in Boston where she helped develop her eye for research. She hopes to make a difference in her community through philanthropy and research.
Saynab also recently graduated from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University where she earned her master’s in public policy and social impact business administration degrees.
When Saynab is not working, you can find her in the yoga studio practicing Pilates and yoga. She enjoys frequenting Cambridge’s parks, fitness studios and discovering its restaurants.
