Linda R. Reiner, MPH, has been named president and CEO of Caring for Colorado, a statewide foundation working to create equity in health, well-being and opportunity for Colorado’s children and families, effective April 1, 2020.
“Linda has spent the past 19 years working to make Caring for Colorado the organization that it is today. Her background and experience in philanthropy, public health and the nonprofit sector in Colorado, as well as her deep understanding of the needs of children and families across our state, make her the perfect person to lead the foundation into the future,” said Dr. Judith Albino, chair of the Caring for Colorado Board of Directors.
Reiner has served in leadership positions at Tri-County Health Department in Englewood, Colo., and Caring for Colorado. During her tenure at the foundation, she has planned and implemented four major initiatives, established a new place-based grantmaking program, directed and evaluated more than $110 million in statewide grantmaking and raised more than $40 million in funding for foundation initiatives, leveraging relationships with other funders to bring additional resources to scale statewide initiatives. Most recently, Reiner led the foundation in developing a new strategic direction, based on extensive statewide community outreach, research and analysis, that focuses on improving health and well-being for Colorado children, youth and families who are farthest from opportunity.
“Linda’s work at Caring for Colorado has been critical to our success. She is respected by peers and partners and is the right person to lead the foundation forward,” said Chris Wiant, current president and CEO, who is retiring in April after nearly 20 years of service.
Reiner has a deep commitment to public service, having served as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Health, board member of the Colorado Health Institute and as chair of the Senior Dental Services Program at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance. A fifth-generation Coloradan, she received her undergraduate degree from The Colorado College and master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead Caring for Colorado. I look forward to working with the staff, board and our partners across the state to achieve the foundation’s purpose of improving health and well-being for children and youth,” said Reiner. “We have aspirational goals for the children of Colorado. I am excited by this challenge and eager to strengthen our partnerships and networks across Colorado to make a difference in the lives of all Coloradans.”