The Princeton Area Community Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit that helps individuals, businesses and other organizations create permanent charitable funds supporting the region’s communities and residents, has a new leader.
Mathieu Nelessen was hired by PACF’s board of trustees following a nationwide search and began his new role as the foundation’s president and CEO last month.
Nelessen previously served as CEO of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). He was CARRA’s first CEO, leading a successful reorganization from a board-managed operation to a professional, CEO-managed operation.
“After 25 years of nonprofit service, it is a distinct honor to return to my home community to drive the incredible mission of the Community Foundation forward, with a focus on growth, innovation and impact,” Nelessen said. “I look forward to furthering the critical junction between philanthropy and the needs of community and creating sustainable change.”
Nelessen has strong ties to the Garden State, having previously served in leadership roles at the American Red Cross, both in New Jersey and at the national level.
He led and managed that organization’s Superstorm Sandy disaster response and recovery efforts in New Jersey. He was also deployed to Houston to serve as the executive director of the Hurricane Harvey recovery program.
In his last role at the Red Cross, he served as the national vice president of Business Strategy and Planning, Biomedical Services, where he led a staff of 350 people in the division that is responsible for 40% of the nation’s blood supply.
Before joining the Red Cross, Nelessen was the executive director of the New Jersey office of the American Diabetes Association, director of annual giving at Rider University, and served in director roles at Special Olympics New Jersey. He is a graduate of Rutgers University.
Nelessen is the third leader of the Princeton Area Community Foundation since its founding in 1991. Nancy Kieling led the organization for 20 years until her retirement. Jeff Vega succeeded her as president & CEO, a role he held until his death in 2024.
“The Community Foundation is an extraordinary organization with an incredible team, and we’re looking forward to Mathieu’s visionary leadership as we continue to grow and make an impact in our region,” said board chair Sonia Delgado.
Anthony “Skip” Cimino, who chaired the foundation’s search committee, said Nelessen was an “excellent choice” to lead the foundation.
“Mathieu is engaging, intelligent and thoughtful,” Cimino said. “He has a depth of experience, including a number of high-profile positions, and his roots are in this community.”
Go here to learn more about the Princeton Area Community Foundation’s mission and work.
