Beverly, MA — Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), an organization that brings people together to strengthen the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, is pleased to announce that Dr. Erin F. Heiskell, nonprofit leader Derek A. Mitchell and attorney Brendan L. Ward have recently been elected to the organization’s board of trustees.
“We are thrilled to welcome Erin, Derek and Brendan to the ECCF board,” said Ana Colmenero, chair of the board at ECCF. “Their combined experience and dedication come at a critical time for the foundation, as ECCF is increasingly called upon to lead the community in collaborative work that addresses the region’s greatest needs while building resiliency for the future.”
The recent launch of the foundation’s Essex County Community Response Fund, alongside existing work like Racial Equity, Climate Resiliency, Digital Equity and Arts & Culture, is a testament to ECCF’s focus on the region’s immediate and long-term needs.
Erin F. Heiskell, MD
Erin F. Heiskell, MD, has more than 20 years of experience as a family physician and has dedicated her career to providing comprehensive care with a strong emphasis on preventative medicine. Deeply committed to community well-being, Heiskell is focused on bridging physician gaps and ensuring patients receive consistent, high-quality support.
Heiskell currently serves across various primary sites within the Salem Hospital branch of the Massachusetts General Brigham network. This position not only demands clinical expertise, but also the ability to integrate seamlessly into diverse teams to support the broader healthcare infrastructure.
In addition to her many professional affiliations, Heiskell is a long-time community volunteer. Currently, she is a capital campaign committee member at Plummer Youth Promise and on the board of the Evelyn Lily Lutz Foundation. Previously, she volunteered with the Peabody Essex Museum, The House of the Seven Gables and Hamilton Hall, among others.
“I am honored to join ECCF as a trustee at a time when the foundation’s reach and impact are stronger than ever,” said Heiskell. “ECCF plays a vital role in bringing people, resources and ideas together to strengthen our communities in meaningful and lasting ways. I look forward to helping shape the foundation’s next chapter—building stronger connections, empowering nonprofits and creating a healthier, more resilient future for everyone who calls this place home.”
Derek A. Mitchell
Derek A. Mitchell is co-founder and president of LEADS Massachusetts, a high-impact organization that activates and connects business and civic leaders in Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth.
Mitchell’s longtime career in social services, international development and social enterprise has taken him as far as Quilalí, Nicaragua, where he was once an agricultural specialist with the Peace Corps. But much of it has been spent right here in northeast Massachusetts, where he has been passionate about catalyzing system-wide change to create lasting and scalable impact. Mitchell is the founding executive director of the Lawrence Partnership, a collaboration of business and civic leaders committed to building and strengthening the economy in Lawrence, MA. And he has worked in leadership positions at the International Institute of New England and the United Teen Equality Center.
In addition to his professional experience, Mitchell has a long history of community engagement. Currently, he is a member of the Affordable Housing Trust for the Town of West Newbury and serves on the boards of Esperanza Academy in Lawrence and the River Valley Charter School in Newburyport. Mitchell also has a longtime relationship with ECCF.
“After years of working in partnership with ECCF to support a breadth of community priorities in Lawrence and across the entire region, I couldn’t be more excited to join the board,” said Mitchell. “ECCF plays a critical role in convening and creating space for collective action and I’m eager to support the organization’s vision for continued innovation and scale to ensure Essex County is an even more prosperous and equitable region.”
Brendan L. Ward, Esq.
Attorney Brendan L. Ward is a seasoned trust and estate attorney with more than 15 years of experience in advanced estate planning, wealth transfer and trust management.
As partner and chief operating officer of Touchstone Law Offices, Ward focuses on estate planning for modern families – including those with young children, same-sex couples and next-generation leaders – as well as trust and estate administration. Known for building lasting relationships and identifying client needs, Ward combines deep legal expertise with a client-first, solutions-oriented mindset.
In addition to his legal work, Ward is deeply involved in community service across the North Shore. He currently serves as vice chair of the board of directors for both LifeScene (formerly Family & Children’s Services of Greater Lynn) and the Lynn Boys & Girls Club. Ward also serves on the board of Lynn Community Health Center. Previously, he volunteered with the Town of Nahant and Marblehead Arts Association.
“Joining the ECCF Board feels like a natural extension of my commitment to the people and communities of Essex County,” said Ward. “The Foundation’s work touches so many areas I care deeply about — from economic mobility to community development — and I’m looking forward to helping ECCF continue building bridges and creating opportunities across our region.”
Heiskell, Mitchell and Ward are now part of a dedicated 18-member board of community, business and philanthropic leaders, each committed to volunteering their skills, experience and knowledge of the region to strengthen the communities of Essex County.
“It’s more important than ever to have people with that collaborative spirit and passion for their communities here at ECCF,” said President and CEO Stratton Lloyd. “I’m looking forward to working with Erin, Derek, Brendan and the rest of our incredible board to ensure that Essex County is a place where everyone has access to opportunities that improve their quality of life.”
