The associate corporate secretary of Carnegie Corporation of New York, Nicole Howe Buggs, has been promoted to chief administrative officer and corporate secretary of the foundation, following nearly 10 years of service to the foundation. Trish Callahan joins the foundation as chief human resources officer, bringing more than 25 years of human resources leadership to the role, most recently with The Education Trust, a nonprofit that works to improve outcomes for disadvantaged students.
As the chief administrative officer (CAO) and corporate secretary, Ms. Howe Buggs serves as the liaison to the board of trustees and helps ensure effective governance of the Corporation. She is continuing in the role of director of grants management, overseeing operations and compliance for an annual portfolio of approximately 275 domestic and international grants, consisting of more than $150 million in funding support. In addition, Ms. Howe Buggs is responsible for leading and managing information technology and office services. She joined the Corporation in 2011 after running grants management at the Public Welfare Foundation, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, and the Healthcare Georgia Foundation.
Ms. Callahan’s experience in human resources spans a diverse range of organizations, including nonprofit educational media, family-owned manufacturing, and publicly traded companies. She spent 15 years with Sesame Workshop, the production company that produces Sesame Street, where Ms. Callahan rose to the position of vice president of human resources, overseeing services for 300 employees. In the for-profit sector, she worked for McDonald’s Corporation, providing human resources support for more than 100 franchise restaurants in the greater New York City area. Her signature initiatives have focused on career coaching and workplace culture aimed at improving employee engagement.
Ms. Howe Buggs and Ms. Callahan assume responsibilities formerly managed by Ellen Bloom, the Corporation’s vice president, chief administrative officer, and corporate secretary, who retired in December 2019 after 12 years with the Corporation.
“It is my honor to work closely with our distinguished board of trustees and to make a meaningful contribution to the governance and stewardship of the Corporation,” said Ms. Howe Buggs. “I have always been intrigued by systems, processes, and efficiencies, and I am thrilled to be in a position that cultivates innovation and allows for change. I am also delighted to help advance the Corporation’s longstanding commitment to ‘glass pockets’ in grantmaking by implementing systems that are transparent and accountable.”
"For over 20 years, I have had the privilege of leading human resources for nonprofit organizations committed to improving our communities through education, and in the process, I have learned that the most effective organizations start with a demonstrated commitment to their employees,” said Ms. Callahan. “At the Corporation, my goal is to have a positive impact on each employee by implementing purposeful and predictable programs and processes to help them achieve the greatest possible success and further Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic mission.”
“We are delighted to announce that Nicole Howe Buggs, the Corporation’s associate corporate secretary, has been promoted to chief administrative officer and corporate secretary, important roles that reflect Nicole’s invaluable contributions and leadership skills, which have benefited the foundation during the past 10 years,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. “In addition, we welcome Trish Callahan in the position of chief human resources officer, following an extensive search that attracted a pool of highly qualified candidates. Trish will lead our efforts to recruit and retain the highest caliber personnel, coming from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, in support of the Corporation’s multifaceted grantmaking in the U.S. and abroad.”
Ms. Howe Buggs received her BA and MA from The George Washington University. She serves on the board of trustees for the Tenement Museum, and mentors emerging leaders as part of a program sponsored by Philanthropy New York.
Ms. Callahan holds a B.B.A. from The Ohio State University with a concentration in human resources and labor relations. She is also a certified facilitator of workplace personality assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.