Danita
Joined the Community Foundation in 2021

Danita R. DeHaney, Ph.D.

President and CEO

Why I Joined The Community Foundation

“I feel like I have been preparing for this role my entire career. Being able to partner with our Board and Staff to lead this organization into its next 50 years of bridging philanthropic generosity to community needs is an honor. I could not be happier to be here.”
Joined the Community Foundation in 2021
Leader, convener, coach, quarterback, and cheerleader.

Danita R. DeHaney has been President and CEO of the Community Foundation since 2021. She brings an expansive skillset to her executive leadership of the Foundation, including 25 successful years in higher education managing and leading comprehensive fundraising campaigns and building high-performing teams. As the Community Foundation’s President and CEO, she provides leadership for all aspects of the organization’s aspirations and actions, emphasizing the importance of driving philanthropy to change and enhance our communities.

Before The Community Foundation

Prior to the Community Foundation Danita served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Executive Officer of the FAU Foundation, Inc., at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). During her tenure, she helped catapult the university into a new era of excellence with record-breaking fundraising and spearheaded its second-ever comprehensive campaign (the first in 20 years). Before joining FAU, Danita served as Senior Associate Vice President for External Affairs at the University of Florida, where she directed its national volunteer strategy to support a $3 billion campaign.

She has held numerous senior-level positions at the University of Maryland, including Assistant Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations during the university’s $1 billion campaign and Senior Associate Director of Athletics before pivoting her talents to fundraising.

Noteworthy
  • Rose from alumni relations to Senior Associate Vice President for External Affairs at UF in only five years; Directed UF’s national volunteer strategy to support a $3 billion campaign
  • Held numerous senior-level positions at the University of Maryland from 1995 to 2011, including Assistant Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations during the university’s $1 billion campaign and Senior Associate Director of Athletics before pivoting her talents to fundraising
  • Danita loves playing tennis and beaching it

     Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business
    • Thesis examined the effect of public research university presidents and business school deans on fundraising performance 
  • Master of Social Science, Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; concentration in International Relations
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business; concentration in Personnel and Labor Relations
Contact
561-659-6800