We hope you’re enjoying the new KHF website!

We are working to enable language changes across our entire site for our community. For now, this feature is available on this page!

Lennen to serve as Interim CEO following Coen retirement

News

Related content

News Hunger

KHF provides $1 million to organizations working to end food insecurity in Kansas

KHF provides $1 million to organiz...

Four organizations will receive a total of nearly $1 million in funding from the Kansas Health Foundation through the Hunger Free Kansas Transformation Grant program.

12/05/2024

Read full article
News

K-State, KHF team up for statewide efforts to end hunger

K-State, KHF team up for statewide...

Kansas State University and the Kansas Health Foundation are joining forces in a new partnership and funding opportunity aimed at ending hunger at the community level across Kansas.

11/06/2024

Read full article
News

“Leading Health,” a book from the Kansas Health Foundation, coming in September 2025

“Leading Health,” a bo...

The Kansas Health Foundation has announced the intended release of a new book in September 2025.

11/06/2024

Read full article

WICHITA, Kan. – Steve Coen will be retiring at the end of this month after working 31 years at the Kansas Health Foundation, including 11 years as president and CEO.

Since joining the foundation in 1987, Coen has held several other positions, including director of public affairs, senior program officer and vice president for administration. During his tenure as president and CEO, Coen oversaw the approval of 1,866 grants totaling nearly $163 million.

“I’ve had the privilege to work with so many talented, dedicated people across the state who have focused on improving health and building stronger communities,” Coen said. “I have had an extremely fulfilling career and am ready to enjoy my next life’s adventures with my wife, Monica, and my family.”

Coen, a lifelong Kansan, championed several significant initiatives in his time at the foundation, including the creation and development of the Kansas Leadership Center; establishing a 20-year, $60 million investment in Kansas community foundations called Giving Resources to Our World (GROW); moving the foundation to a public charity tax status to support state public policy and advocacy efforts; and most recently, launching the “Can’t Wait to Read” early childhood literacy campaign.

In honor of Coen’s service, the foundation is pleased to provide a $3,100 grant to Emporia State University for the Steve and Monica Coen Scholarship Fund.

In order to ensure a smooth transition while the KHF board continues its national search for the foundation’s successor, Michael Lennen–former KHF Board of Directors’ chair–will serve as interim president and CEO.

“In addition to Mr. Lennen’s impressive public and private sector leadership experience, his knowledge and understanding of the organization’s mission, current programs and projects, foundation staff and expectations of the board, made him a natural choice to oversee the short-term responsibilities of the president/CEO position,” said Matt Allen, chair of the KHF Board of Directors.

The board has hired Bryant Group, headquartered in Dallas, to manage the president and CEO search.

Additional information about the next president and CEO will be forthcoming once it is available.

###

 

About the Kansas Health Foundation

The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is a nonprofit organization based in Wichita but statewide in its focus. At KHF, all our work centers on our mission: to improve the health of all Kansans. As part of a new strategic framework, developed by our staff and board of directors, KHF also strives to accomplish three primary purposes: empower Kansas to lead the nation in health; eliminate the inequities that create health disparities; and, for KHF to become THE model for philanthropic impact.