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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.
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