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At its recent annual meeting, the CUNY SPH Foundation announced the renewal of its board leadership, the election of new officers and directors, and the retirement of a longtime member.
Distinguished Scholar Lyndon Haviland will continue as chair, along with Alfonso Chang as vice chair and Michael Meng as treasurer. Dr. Nicole Roberts was elected secretary, to succeed longtime board member Ruth Wooden, who is retiring from board service after an impactful career in communications, public policy, philanthropy, and governance.
Wooden joined the Foundation’s board in 2020 following a career that included serving as president of the Advertising Council, president of Public Agenda, and leadership roles with numerous national nonprofit organizations. Throughout her tenure, she provided invaluable governance guidance while championing innovative opportunities for students and community partners.
Among her most significant contributions to CUNY SPH was the creation of the Harlem Health Fellowship in Health Communication for Social Change. Conceived, advanced, and funded by Wooden, the fellowship connects students with Harlem-based nonprofit organizations to develop and implement public health communications strategies, strengthening both student learning and community impact. Wooden was also instrumental in the creation of the Career Skills Academy, a core service provided by the CUNY SPH Foundation to build workforce-ready public health professionals.
“Ruth has been an extraordinary advocate for public health education and a treasured member of our board,” said Dr. Haviland. “Her wisdom, generosity, and strategic counsel have helped shape the Foundation during the pandemic and positioned us for remarkable growth. We are profoundly grateful for her leadership and enduring commitment to our students and mission.”
The Foundation also celebrated the election of Dr. Nicole Roberts as secretary.
“Nicole has established herself as a thoughtful and engaged board member,” said Adam Doyno, executive director of the Foundation Board. “Her leadership experience, commitment to public health, and passion for advancing opportunity make her exceptionally well-suited for this role. We are excited to welcome her to the Executive Committee as an officer of the board.”
In addition, the board welcomed Dr. Helen Arteaga, Dr. James Gohar, and Dr. Katrina Mateo, who participated in their first meeting as members of the Board of Directors. Their appointments further strengthen the Foundation’s leadership with expertise spanning healthcare delivery, public health, entrepreneurship, and health equity. Dr. Arteaga and Dr. Mateo are also the first CUNY SPH alumni to serve on the Foundation’s board, marking an important milestone in the school’s continued growth and maturity.
The Executive Committee and Board of Directors guide the Foundation as it continues to expand philanthropic support for scholarships, workforce development initiatives, student success programs, research, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the public health workforce and improve health outcomes in New York City and beyond.
