NH Women's Foundation Names New CEO

The NH Women’s Foundation appointed Tanna Clews as its new CEO.

The NH Women’s Foundation has nearly 100 years of shared history of advocating for women and girls as the result of a 2014 merger between the Women’s Fund of NH and the NH Women’s Initiative. The organization is dedicated to promoting opportunity for women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in the Granite State.

Clews has more than 15 years of nonprofit management, fundraising, political and advocacy experience. “As a skilled nonprofit executive and champion for gender equality, Tanna has the experience and passion to be a strong and effective CEO and to move the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation forward into its next chapter,” says Mary Jo Brown, board chair.

Most recently, Clews was an executive and strategic consultant working with the NH Charitable Foundation, NH Department of Education and the Community College System of NH on education and workforce development initiatives. Clews worked closely with NH’s business, philanthropic, and education leaders, as well as managing relationships with national funders and organizations. 

Previously, Clews led the merger of two organizations to form Educate Maine, and as executive director she grew the organization in size, reputation, and impact. She also worked at Phillips Exeter Academy in the development office and has worked on a number of state and national political campaigns. She has served on the board of A Safe Place and as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. She also coaches girls basketball and is a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Clews is a graduate of Smith College and Northeastern Law School and lives in Portsmouth with her family.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to lead the New Hampshire Women's Foundation, New Hampshire's only organization advocating for gender equality,” says Clews. “I look forward to working with the board of directors and our thousands of supporters from across the state to expand opportunities for women and girls.”