Community Foundation of Broward Announces Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson as New President & CEO

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- (June 23, 2020) -- The Community Foundation of Broward Board of Directors proudly announces Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., as the Community Foundation’s new President/CEO.

Jennifer, a graduate of Cornerstone Class 26, begins her new post on Aug. 17, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in Broward, which includes guiding community engagement, fundraising, and donor stewardship at Nova Southeastern University. At the Community Foundation, Jennifer will build on the bold legacy of leadership provided by current President/CEO Linda B. Carter, who is retiring after 23 years of dedicated service to Broward. 

Jennifer’s deep community ties enable her to hit the ground running at a crucial time for the Community Foundation – as the coronavirus pandemic and a nationwide call for social justice change life as we know it in Broward. 

“This is a pivotal moment for our community and the Community Foundation will lead the way to help shape a brighter future,” she said. “I am honored and thrilled to accept this role. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to combine my work experiences with my love for Broward to guide an innovative organization that creates bold, lasting impact.” 

The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors on Tuesday unanimously approved Jennifer as President/CEO after an extensive nationwide search. 

“Jennifer brings the expertise, creativity, energy, and drive to take the Community Foundation of Broward to the next level,” said James Donnelly, Foundation Board Chair and Chair of the CEO search committee. “In Jennifer, the Board of Directors sees a transformational leader who loves this community and will ensure that we grow the endowed philanthropic resources Broward needs to thrive.” 

The Community Foundation of Broward, established in 1984, provides community leadership, fosters bold philanthropy, and builds permanent resources to tackle Broward’s biggest challenges – today and forever. 

The Community Foundation is in the midst of its most ambitious effort yet – the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign – which seeks to fuel innovation, inspire new thinking, and raise $500 million in endowed support for Broward’s Issues That Matter. 

Jennifer comes to the Foundation from Nova Southeastern University, where she has served as Vice President of Advancement and Community Relations since 2013. At NSU she created strategies to raise NSU’s profile, engage the community and grow philanthropic support – which included helping lead the university’s first capital campaign that raised $267 million in philanthropic giving and is currently the largest capital campaign ever done in Broward County. 

Prior to joining NSU, Jennifer served as Vice President of Community Engagement at Florida Atlantic University and Executive Director of the FAU Foundation. Also, Jennifer was the first female President and CEO of United Way of Broward County. 

A 21-year resident of Broward County, Jennifer’s love of community is exemplified by her volunteer service on the boards of many Broward nonprofit organizations such as Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, PACE Center for Girls, and Funding Arts Broward. 

With an outstanding network of community, industry, business, and political connections, Jennifer is ideally suited to guide the Community Foundation’s push for solutions to Broward’s Issues That Matter. 

She joins a Community Foundation that is well-positioned to meet Broward’s growing challenges, thanks to Linda Carter’s more than two decades of dynamic leadership. 

Linda has shaped the Community Foundation into a strong, innovative force for good that ranks within the top 100 community foundations nationwide. In December 2019, Linda announced her plans to retire to allow plenty of time to find her successor and ensure a smooth transition for the Community Foundation’s next leader.

‍In the weeks ahead, Linda plans to help Jennifer get ready to take the helm at the Community Foundation. 

“It has been my honor to lead the Community Foundation and to serve this community I love,” Linda said. “Jennifer is an outstanding leader, an innovative executive, and a real champion for Broward. I am confident that she will help the Community Foundation create an even greater impact on this community we all call home.”