The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust Announces the Appointment of Leigh Bonney as Chief Financial Officer and the Promotion of Jacqueline Ferrari Heavens to Controller and Vice President -- Operations

NEW YORK, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The trustees of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, announce the appointment of Leigh Bonney as Chief Financial Officer of the Trust, and the promotion of Jacqueline Ferrari Heavens to Controller and Vice President – Operations, effective March 5, 2012.

"Leigh and Jacqueline are formidable assets to the Trust because of their superb experience in finance and leadership within global organizations. Their expertise will be critical to the Trust's growth and expanded impact worldwide," said John R. Ettinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.  "We are delighted to have Leigh join our organization as Chief Financial Officer, and to promote Jacqueline to Controller and Vice President – Operations. We look forward to the significant value they will bring to the ongoing fulfillment of the Trust's goals and mission."

Ms. Bonney spent 15 years at Pfizer in senior positions in Strategy and Finance before retiring in early 2011.  As Chief Financial Officer for Research and Development, she was responsible for developing and managing a $4 billion expense budget and $1 billion capital budget.  Ms. Bonney managed merger planning and post-merger integration in Research and Development for Pfizer's acquisitions of Warner-Lambert, Pharmacia and Wyeth.  She was also responsible for integrating smaller biotechnology acquisitions into Pfizer's Research and Development operations.  Prior to joining Pfizer, Ms. Bonney was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she worked closely with the senior management of multi-national companies to develop strategic initiatives which promoted growth and productivity.  She began her career as a banker at the Bank of Boston in Boston and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Most recently, Ms. Bonney served as Principal, Maple Rock Advisors, LLC, where she provided strategic advice to multi-national corporations in the healthcare sector. She is also an independent board member for the Eliassen Group, a technology staffing and consulting services firm. 

Ms. Bonney has a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community service. She is the Vice Chair of the Nature Conservancy's Trustee Council, which represents the trustees of all the Conservancy's US and international Chapters, and she was the Chair of the Board of The Nature Conservancy of Connecticut and the co-chair of a national Finance Advisory Group for the Conservancy.  She was the President of the Board of the Big Apple Circus, a non-profit performing arts organization with extensive community programs.  She was a board member of Phillips Exeter Academy for 14 years, serving as Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.  She chaired the search committee for the 14th Principal of Exeter.  She holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from Stanford University, and an M.B.A. from Harvard. 

"I am honored and thrilled to join the Trust as its CFO," said Ms. Bonney. "I look forward to working to continue the great work of the Trust as it improves lives by supporting effective nonprofits in health and medical research, human services, education, and conservation."

Ms. Ferrari Heavens joined the Trust as a Senior Accountant in 2009 and became Interim Chief Financial Officer in 2011. As Interim CFO, Ms. Ferrari Heavens was responsible for developing and instituting many of the financial systems upon which the operations of the Trust rely.  As part of this process, Ms. Ferrari Heavens expanded the Finance and Operations teams to meet the demands of the rapidly growing Trust. In her new role as Controller and Vice President – Operations, she will continue to provide critical guidance to the finance department and also lead all administrative functions for the Trust. 

Prior to her roles at the Trust, Ms. Ferrari Heavens was a Senior Associate with WTAS, LLC, a tax compliance and consulting firm.  While at WTAS, she managed tax engagements for high-net worth individuals and their related private foundations, partnerships, and corporations.  She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs, California Society of CPAs, and New York State Society of CPAs.  She holds a Masters of Accountancy from Baruch College and a dual Bachelors of Science degree in both Management and Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). 

"Since 2009, I have seen firsthand how the Trust's support benefits the outstanding work of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving services, development and outcomes in medical research, education, conservation and human services," said Ms. Ferrari Heavens. "I am proud to assume this new role as the Trust expands its impact worldwide."

Assets presently in the Helmsley Trust total approximately $4 billion.  That total will significantly increase as additional assets from the Helmsley estate are transferred to the Trust.  Since 2008, when the Trust began its active grant-making, it has committed more than $540 million to a wide range of charitable organizations. 

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting effective nonprofits in fields such as health and medical research, social services, education, conservation, the development and security of Israel, and other areas.  The Trust, established in 1999, is administered by four trustees selected by Leona Helmsley.

For more information on the Trust, please go to www.helmsleytrust.org

SOURCE Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust