Dan Cardinali

The Fetzer Institute Board of Trustees has elected Dan Cardinali to serve as its next chair.

Cardinali, who has served as a trustee since 2018, will serve a three-year term effective October 20, 2023. He succeeds Carolyn Thompson Brown, who has served as board chair since 2018 and remains a trustee. Fetzer trustees set broad policy relating to grantmaking, investments, governance, and professional standards. They also oversee internal and independent audits of the Institute’s finances.

Recognized as a leader in the nonprofit sector, Cardinali most recently served as president and CEO of Independent Sector, the only national membership organization that brings together nonprofits, foundations, and corporations seeking to advance the common good. His work at Independent Sector focused on empowering organizations to work collaboratively to improve life and the environment for individuals and communities around the world.

Before joining Independent Sector in 2016, Cardinali served on its board of directors and led Communities in Schools, the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, for 12 years. Early in his career, he was a community organizer in Guadalajara, Mexico, organizing with faith-based communities while studying social analysis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University.

“Dan is passionately invested in this work and brings a depth of spiritual formation to his board role,” said Bob Boisture, Fetzer Institute president and CEO. “His leadership and experience will help guide the next generation of our work.”