a message from
ECCF’s new president & ceo
Dear Friend of ECCF,
By now, you have likely heard the news that I have been selected as ECCF’s new president and CEO, effective July 1. I am honored and so humbled by the opportunity to lead an organization I have been incredibly proud to be a part of for the last six years.
ECCF is at an important inflection point. Not only are we celebrating 25 years of history and impact in Essex County, but we’re also looking ahead to the next 25 and building on the vital work of supporting a sustainable, equitable, vibrant and welcoming region where everyone feels at home. All that we have accomplished – from elevating the arts to increasing access to workforce development and economic opportunity – is the result of a collective passion for seeing every resident thrive. It’s a countywide effort that takes all of us.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the Board of Trustees and the dedicated ECCF team, which I feel privileged to be a part of every single day, and without whom our collective achievements would not be possible. I also want to recognize all the innovative leaders who came before me. To Beth Francis, you have left big shoes for me to fill, and I will be forever grateful for your commitment and passion for Essex County. (We hope you don’t go far!) But there is still much work to do, and I am ready to dig in and steward ECCF’s legacy – together.
The most important thing I want you to know about me – whether we’ve worked together over the last six years or whether you’re new to the foundation – is that what happens in Essex County matters to me.
This region has been my home for many years, and I have raised my three daughters here. I’ve worked in the business and nonprofit sectors in Essex County for decades and, when I’m not working, you can often find me biking or running the roads and trails that connect our incredible communities. I love our cities and towns, their rich cultural history, their natural wonders and the diversity of people who call them home. I love the work of bringing folks together, building community and leveraging those connections to envision and shape the Essex County we all want to see.
Our region, like our country, faces complicated challenges that we know can only be solved if we work together. Here at ECCF, we see the foundation as a sustainable anchor organization for Essex County, a hub where compassionate and curious donors, members of our communities with different lived experiences and dedicated nonprofit leaders gather to break bread across differences and elevate our common goals.
There is a place for everyone here. And we encourage you to reach out to us to explore the many ways you can be a part of the collaborative work at ECCF. Together, we grow stronger. Your support – whether through your time, talent or treasure – ensures that ECCF will be here in perpetuity to strengthen and sustain this place we all call home. We can help you find your philanthropic passion, explore meaningful ways to volunteer or help you connect with others to help solve the greatest challenges facing Essex County. I encourage you to reach out to us anytime.
I am thrilled to continue this work with you all, and I hope to hear from or see you soon. My door is always open. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the warm welcome I have received so far, and for your continued support of ECCF. Onward and upward!
Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July,
Sincerely,
Stratton Lloyd
MEET
STRATTON LLOYD
ABOUT STRATTON
I joined the ECCF staff in July 2018 after serving as a strategic advisor on Impact Essex County, the Foundation’s lasting commitment to effecting positive change in our region. Since then, I have been consistently inspired by the relentless efforts, smart ideas and passion of the many community partners that we collaborate with on this work.
Prior to joining ECCF, I served as executive vice president of Strategy, Product Management and Customer Operations at EBSCO Information Services, a private Fortune 200 company based in Ipswich, where I worked for 14 years. I was also the founder and managing director of First Look, Inc., now known as YouthServe, a nonprofit global youth service-education organization that empowers young people through volunteerism and leadership.
Outside of work, you can often find me biking the roads and trails of Essex County. I also enjoy spending time with my family of three girls and sweet dog, Sunny, reading and skiing. I love to travel, especially to Latin America, and practicing my Spanish whenever I get the chance.