Walter D. Woods Appointed Senior Vice President, Development and Donor Services

New Haven, Conn.  (Sept. 18, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has appointed Walter D. Woods as its new SVP, development and donor services. A seasoned nonprofit and philanthropic leader with more than 30 years of experience, Woods will lead the Foundation’s strategic development efforts, donor engagement and philanthropic services.

Woods most recently served as vice president of philanthropy at CVS Health, where he helped catalyze philanthropic investment in communities across the country. Prior to CVS Health, Woods led the Humana Foundation as its chief executive officer. He succeeds Dotty Weston-Murphy, who retired from The Foundation earlier this year after 17 years of distinguished service.

“I am honored to join The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in this pivotal role,” said Woods. “The Foundation’s legacy of inspiring philanthropy and advancing equity deeply resonates with my personal and professional values. I look forward to collaborating with the Foundation’s leadership, donors, and the Greater New Haven community to build lasting, inclusive and community-driven impact.”

In his role, Woods will oversee all development, stewardship, and donor service efforts at The Community Foundation. His leadership will focus on deepening relationships with current and prospective donors, growing philanthropic assets and ensuring that The Foundation’s resources are aligned with the region’s most pressing needs.

“Walter brings a dynamic combination of vision, integrity, and experience to this critical role,” said Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton, president and CEO of The Community Foundation. “His commitment to equity, deep development expertise, and proven ability to build partnerships will strengthen the Foundation’s ability to serve the 20-town region. We are excited to welcome him to the team.”

In addition to his leadership roles at CVS Health and the Humana Foundation, Woods has held senior positions at organizations including, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Foundation, AARP Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs and The World Bank Group. Over the course of his career, he has raised more than $450 million and led philanthropic investments exceeding $500 million.

Woods’ leadership style blends analytical rigor with empathy, collaboration, and a relentless focus on community impact. He holds a steadfast belief that philanthropy should be bold, inclusive, and centered on the voices and needs of the communities it serves.

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About The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s mission is to inspire, support, inform, listen to and collaborate with the people and organizations of Greater New Haven to build an ever more connected, inclusive, equitable and philanthropic community. Established in 1928, The Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the U.S. Generations of donors past and present have built the Foundation’s permanent charitable endowment, which serves 20 towns in Greater New Haven. The Foundation operates under a strategic plan to expand opportunity and equity throughout our region. For more information about The Foundation, visit cfgnh.org or follow @cfgnh on Facebook and Twitter.\

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