Valley Community Foundation Welcomes Greg Pepe and Karen DuBois-Walton to Board of Directors
DERBY, CT – The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) announced that Attorney Gregory J. Pepe and Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton have joined its Board of Directors, effective January 9, 2025. Pepe, a respected attorney and longtime community advocate, has extensive ties to the Valley having grown up in Derby and Seymour. Dr. DuBois-Walton is President and CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF). Her appointment continues the longstanding tradition of TCF’s President serving on VCF’s Board. She succeeds former TCF President Will Ginsberg.
Pepe is a founding principal of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., where he heads the Healthcare Law, Corporate & Business Transactions, and Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation practice groups. With a distinguished legal career and significant expertise in the healthcare sector, Mr. Pepe is uniquely positioned to navigate the complexities of this rapidly evolving field.
“We are thrilled to welcome Attorney Gregory J. Pepe to our Board,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. “Greg’s scope of experience and unwavering commitment to community service perfectly align with VCF’s mission. We are excited to see how his insights and leadership will contribute to our work in the Valley.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Pepe is a dedicated community volunteer. He is a founder and former President of the Board of Directors of Leeway, Inc., a nonprofit providing primary care for individuals living with AIDS. Mr. Pepe’s civic engagement also includes serving as pro-bono general counsel for Branford’s Hospice, Inc., and his tenure as Board President of The Institute Library, a historic member-supported library in New Haven. He is a faculty member at Quinnipiac University School of Law, and a former TCF board member.
“I am honored to join the Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors and look forward to working alongside the dedicated individuals who make up the Board and Staff,” Pepe said. “As someone who grew up in Derby and Seymour, I feel a strong connection to the towns and people that make up the Valley, and I understand the importance of “place” in a person’s upbringing. When VCF started its journey as its own organization, tethered to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, I worked closely with Jamie Cohen and others to strike a balance between VCF’s need for autonomy and the benefits of affiliation.”
“I’ve always admired the dedication of the people involved in VCF to strengthen those connections, to support local nonprofits and provide the financial resources which combine to improve lives and organizations across the Valley,” Pepe said. “This community has such a rich history of self-identity, resilience and generosity, and I’m excited to be part of an organization that embodies these values so deeply.”
Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton is a visionary leader whose career exemplifies a dedication to equity, social justice, and community empowerment. Her distinguished tenure includes serving as President of Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of the City of New Haven, where she led transformative initiatives in housing, education, and economic opportunity. Dr. DuBois-Walton also chairs the Board of the Melville Charitable Trust and serves on various local and statewide boards.
“Karen’s leadership and commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all align seamlessly with the goals of VCF,” Closius added. “Her presence on our Board strengthens the partnership between TCF and VCF, ensuring continued collaboration to benefit the Valley.”
“I look forward to serving alongside this extraordinary group of leaders and working in partnership with the Valley Community Foundation to expand opportunity and advance equity throughout the region," DuBois-Walton said.
As VCF welcomes new leaders, the Foundation bids a heartfelt farewell to two longtime Board members, Attorney Gregory J. Stamos and John “Jack” Walsh, who are stepping down after completing their seven-year terms.
Gregory J. Stamos, Esq., has been a steadfast advocate for the Valley. His service includes leadership roles at numerous organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital, and Valley United Way. A former Chair of the VCF Board, Mr. Stamos has been instrumental in guiding the Foundation through its growth and success.
Jack Walsh, a lifelong Derby resident, brought his decades of community leadership to VCF. As a founder of the Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race and a former President of Valley United Way, Mr. Walsh has devoted his life to strengthening the Valley. His efforts have left an indelible mark on the community.
“Greg and Jack embody the spirit of service that defines the Valley Community Foundation,” said Nancy Valentine, Chair of the VCF Board of Directors. “Their dedication, wisdom, and passion have been vital to our success. On behalf of the Board and the community, we extend our deepest gratitude for their extraordinary contributions. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”
If you are interested in volunteering at the Valley Community Foundation on its Board Advisory Committee or maybe its Board of Directors, please email us at: contactus@valleyfoundation.org
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