Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation to Welcome New President and Chief Executive Officer
For Immediate Release
July 12, 2022
Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation to Welcome New President and Chief Executive Officer
Organization continues its comprehensive strategic planning work planned for rollout in October
Cary, NC — The Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation (FHLI) today announced a change in executive leadership. David Reese will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2022. Kelly Calabria, who has served as President and CEO at FHLI since December 2020, will begin a new role as Chief Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in August.
David comes to FHLI with more than 30 years of experience in non-profit operations and leadership development with expertise in community development and aligning systems and partners to improve outcomes for underserved and at-risk populations.
“David brings to FHLI a passion for elevating marginalized communities and populations and developing partnerships and programs that empower them to thrive. David shares our organization’s belief that complex issues, such as poverty, health, social mobility, and food security, require holistic and community-based solutions,” said FHLI Board Chair Dr. Lloyd Michener. “As we make this transition to David’s leadership, the FHLI Board would like to thank Kelly Calabria for her leadership in growing FHLI and strengthening its ties to our diverse communities. We wish her the very best.”
Most recently, David has served as CEO of the Durham Children’s Initiative, where he raised nearly $24 million dollars in support of families and children in Durham, expanded from a team of 2 to 25 (with over 180 part-time and seasonal staff) and has served over 2,400 young people. He also has guided DCI through a county-wide expansion and re-branding, along with a merger to expand its pipeline to serve youth ages 14-24. He also spearheaded efforts to develop a Durham County Early Childhood Action Plan (ECAP).
“The needs of North Carolina’s marginalized communities have never been more urgent,” said David Reese, incoming President and CEO of the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation. “Partnering with communities to collectively create tailored solutions that support the root causes of what impacts the health and well-being of all North Carolinians is essential to the health and economic well-being of our state. FHLI has a remarkable team, who care deeply about the important work they do, and I am thrilled to join this amazing group of change-makers and learn and work with them.”
Over the last year, FHLI has worked to complete comprehensive strategic planning, as well as, equity, diversity, and inclusion work designed to chart the organization’s next chapter and position it for maximum impact in improving the overall health, well-being, and quality of life of North Carolinians. The year-long project is intended to be all-encompassing, influencing nearly every aspect of FHLI’s operations, strategy, and program engagement. FHLI plans to share its new strategic plan with its community partners at its upcoming Bernstein Dinner in October.
About the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI)
Launched in 1982, under the leadership of James D. Bernstein, the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation develops innovative programs—and helps establish strong partnerships—that advance affordable, sustainable, quality health services that improve the overall health of communities in North Carolina and beyond.
FHLI programs include:
- Jim Bernstein Community Health Leadership Fellows
- Jim & Sue Bernstein Health Center Scholarship
- Center of Excellence for Integrated Care
- Results NC
- NCCARE360
- NC Oral Health Collaborative
- The NC Rural Health Association
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