Community Foundation selects Jeff Hirota as CEO

BOULDER — The vice president of programs at The Denver Foundation has been hired to lead The Community Foundation Boulder County.

Jeff Hirota will become chief executive of the Community Foundation on Jan. 9, replacing Josie Health, who is retiring in January after 21 years of service.

Helen Gemmill, co-chairwoman of the search committee, said Hirota was the “clear and unanimous choice” after a yearlong search.

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Hirota has been the vice president of programs for The Denver Foundation since 2006, where he directs all programs and discretionary grantmaking.

Prior to joining the Denver Foundation in 2003, Hirota was director of brand development for ABC affiliate, Denver’s 7, and the executive director of the Five Points Media Center, a community media center serving women, people of color and the economically disadvantaged.

Hirota worked in radio, television and feature film production in Nashville, Boston, and Los Angeles and was an independent documentary producer whose work included projects in Nicaragua and Ethiopia. He is also an ordained United Methodist pastor appointed to serve in community.

David Brantz, chairman of the Community Foundation’s board of trustees, said Hirota is “an authentic and caring leader who will bring depth of experience and strong understanding of community foundation best practices. In everything, Jeff’s approach is to seek collaborative, sustainable solutions, and his passion for service is clear.”

Since its founding in 1991, the foundation has granted $68 million to nonprofits focused on health and human services, basic needs, children and youth, education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and animals and the environment.