Grace Sacerdote, CPA, EVP/CFO, retires in June after more than 22 years with the Foundation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — June 4, 2026 — Bryan Williams, MBA, has joined The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida as Chief Operating Officer, bringing two decades of nonprofit management experience to the role.
Williams, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s in business administration from Jacksonville University (JU) and the University of Florida, respectively, previously served for eight years as President and CEO of Dogs for Better Lives, a national nonprofit founded in 1977 that provides service dogs to people who are differently abled. Williams has a strong track record of leading strategic operations in successful nonprofit organizations, including the Community Foundation of South Lake in Clermont, Florida.
“As The Community Foundation continues to grow, Bryan will work closely with me to ensure that the Foundation’s strategic priorities are carried out with clarity and consistency,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, President of The Community Foundation. “We are pleased to welcome him in this new role serving as the Foundation’s primary steward of internal operations.”
The COO role was created as Grace Sacerdote, CPA, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, retires in June after 22 years of service.
Along with Williams, the senior leadership team also includes John Zell, CAP®, Senior Vice President, Development; Erin Broderick, VP, Finance, Wanda Willis, MA, VP, Civic Leadership; Mark LeMaire, MA, Vice President, Strategic Donor Initiatives; Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, MA, Vice President, Strategic Communications, and James Coggin, MBA, Senior Director of Grantmaking and Impact Investing.
“Mission-driven work has been a calling for me throughout my career, and I look forward to continuing it as COO of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida,” Bryan said. “My focus will be on supporting the Foundation’s professional staff as we provide exceptional service to donors, nonprofits, and the community at large.”
Williams is relocating back to Jacksonville from Medford, Oregon, with his wife and three children. He looks forward to cheering for the JU Dolphins baseball team, where he played as a pitcher.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 62nd year, the Foundation manages more than $809 million in assets as of 12/31/2025 and has made more than $925 million in grants since inception.
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Contact:
Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-224-7208| sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org