Winter Park Health Foundation will enter the final quarter of its 30th anniversary year under new leadership when Nicholas Abrahams assumes the role of president and CEO on August 26.
The Board of Trustees announced its selection on July 22 after a months-long search that began when current president and CEO Patricia Maddox announced in January her plans to retire. “Hiring Nicholas as our next leader underscores the Board’s vision for the evolution of the Winter Park Health Foundation to be a thought-leader in health on local, regional, and national levels,” said WPHF Board of Trustees Chair Ann McGee in a prepared statement. “We look forward to an expanded involvement in our community that will strengthen our mission of building healthier communities.”
Abrahams’ professional experience includes two years as director of governmental affairs at the St. Johns River Water Management District and seven years at the Orlando Economic Partnership where he most recently served as senior vice president of partnerships and regional investment. He helped secure millions in federal funding through the Build Back Better and National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines grants, and his leadership helped OEP earn the title of National Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2023. He also attended Florida State University, where he earned Bachelor of Science degree, and holds a Masters in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida.
“Leading an organization dedicated to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Eatonville, Maitland, and Winter Park is a dream come true,” Abrahams said. “I extend my deepest gratitude to Tim Giuliani and the Orlando Economic Partnership’s board of directors for the opportunity to serve our region over the past seven years.”
Abrahams will step into the role Maddox took over when the WPHF was founded in 1994. Under her leadership, the Foundation formed its Coordinated Youth Initiative with Orange County Public Schools, developed the Center for Health & Wellbeing, and invested more than $131.5 million in grants and projects benefiting its three focus communities. The Foundation recently awarded a total of $250,000 to five local nonprofits for youth health initiatives through its Well Together Grant Awards Challenge.
“The opportunity to help develop and lead such an innovative community-based organization combined with working with dedicated and professional community leaders and staff has been the highlight of my career,” Maddox said. “I look forward to watching the Foundation’s future innovations and investments under Nicholas’ leadership.”
For more information on Winter Park Health Foundation programs and services, log onto WPHF.org.
