California Human Development picks new leader

California Human Development on Friday announced the appointment of an Ohio nonprofit operations chief as the Santa Rosa-based organization's new CEO.

Anita Maldonado, Ph.D., will join CHD on April 17 and work with CEO Christopher Paige, who is retiring in June. Maldonado is presently the chief operating officer for IMPACT Community Action in Columbus, Ohio.

The group stated Maldonado's extensive experience focuses on development and successful program implementation serving people of low income, including emergency assistance, financial services, workforce development, re-entry, youth services and affordable housing, among other programs. She is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Franklin University and Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

Maldonado will lead CHD's team of 240 staff based in Santa Rosa and with offices across Northern California. The agency, which was inspired in service to migrant and seasonal farmworkers in 1967, is today a nonprofit, human services provider. The agency states its creates opportunities for people from all walks of life who struggle in the grips of poverty by providing training and employment, affordable housing, immigration assistance, disability services and recovery from addiction.

Maldonado was selected following an extensive nationwide and international search, led by Sonoma County's Leap Solutions Group.