2 VPs join Dogwood Health Trust's Community Investment team

Dogwood Health Trust announced Wednesday that after an extensive national search, Jehan Benton-Clark and Jerry Kenney will both join its Community Investment team as vice presidents.

“We are thrilled that Jehan and Jerry will be joining our team,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “Each brings an incredible philanthropic skillset paired with deep appreciation for and experience with rural people and places. These new additions build on the strength of our Community Investment team and will allow Dogwood to grow both in what we do and in how we engage with the community.”

JEHAN BENTON-CLARK

Benton-Clark will join Dogwood as vice president of grantmaking & strategy on Aug. 26. She will lead the foundation’s Stronger Organizations grantmaking, which includes general operating support and capacity building. She will also lead strategic work in behavioral health and organizational efforts to enhance grantee partners’ day-to-day experiences with Dogwood’s grant applications, reporting and processes.

“I’m thrilled to return to the place that shaped me and my purpose for doing this work,” said Benton-Clark. “I’m excited to join the incredible team at Dogwood to tackle the challenges and opportunities we face alongside the communities we exist to serve.”

By accepting this role, Benton-Clark returns to her home state of North Carolina. She currently serves as a strategist and executive coach focused on transforming philanthropic practice to center community voice, equity and impact. One of her core beliefs is that everyone deserves to have their voice heard, and she is passionate about the ways foundations can partner with communities, especially rural communities, to implement strategies that reflect the wisdom of those most affected by systemic inequities.

Benton-Clark brings deep expertise in place-based philanthropy, rural grantmaking, capacity building, and organizational change management. She held leadership roles at the Colorado Health Foundation, serving as senior director of advancing equity and justice and portfolio director for community investment and impact. In these roles, she partnered with communities and leaders across Colorado to guide the shared deployment of $146 million annually, advancing health equity, improving rural health, and strengthening systems change efforts.

She also previously served as a senior program officer at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust working across North Carolina; as executive director of Partners Ending Homelessness; and led health and early childhood education investments at the United Way of Greater Greensboro.

She holds a master’s in social service administration with a concentration in community planning, organizing and development from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a Professional Certified Coach, credentialed by the International Coaching Federation, and a Senior Certified Coach from the Coach Transformation Academy. She serves as a Think Tank Member for the Kansas Health Foundation and as a member of the Societal Impact Advisory Board for the Center for Creative Leadership.

“We began our search looking for a vice president of grantmaking & strategy. As the search unfolded, it became clear that there were two incredible candidates whose experiences, passion, and commitments could advance and accelerate Dogwood’s work in this critical time. Both Jehan and Jerry will be amazing complements to our entire team and for the work in the region,” said Mark Constantine, senior vice president of community investment at Dogwood.

JERRY KENNEY

Kenney will join Dogwood as vice president of impact & community investing on Sept. 15. He will lead the foundation’s Impact Investing, Collaboration & Innovation grantmaking, and policy and advocacy efforts.

“I am excited and honored to join Dogwood Health Trust and work alongside Susan, Mark, Jehan, and the entire team,” Kenney said. “Dogwood is leading the way in place-based rural philanthropy, and I can’t wait to develop partnerships and programs that reflect the grit, resilience, and innovation of the people and places across Western North Carolina.”

In the U.S. and across the globe, Kenney has specialized in program design and development, particularly in rural and disaster-affected communities. He currently serves as a program officer at the T.L.L. Temple Foundation in Lufkin, Texas. Since 2020, he’s supported the launch of multiple rural development initiatives for East Texas, including ConnectRURAL regional development hubs, the Rural Opportunity Catalyst for East Texas (ROC-ET) Initiative, which launched the first community development financial institutions in East Texas, the Rural East Texas Economic Opportunity Analysis, the Texas Community Water System Prioritization Tool, and a rural library digital navigation network.

He manages a grant portfolio focused on regional capacity building and community development. His perspectives on rural development and philanthropy can be found in Daily Yonder, Inside Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly, and Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Kenney started his career teaching and leading community development efforts as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 2007-2009. He also served in key leadership roles in the U.S., South Sudan, and South Africa with Save the Children, Collaborative for Children, World Vision, and Texas A&M University. He served on Save the Children’s U.S. disaster response team and led early education recovery and resilience programs across Greater Houston after Hurricane Harvey.

He holds a Master of International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree from Austin College. He also serves as the co-chair on the council of directors for the Trust for Civic Life, as a member of the board of directors for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), and as a board member for Texas Rural Funders.

Dogwood engaged Intentional Works, an Atlanta-based executive search and leadership development consulting firm, in leading this search.