The Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo) has long been recognized for the expertise of its staff.
Our team is here to facilitate philanthropy in Howard County. Whether we’re guiding donors to maximize their resources to make impactful investments in our community, partnering with local nonprofits to help meet community needs or celebrating philanthropic activities around Howard County, our experienced team is ready to work with you.
In speeches, panel discussions, task forces and other forms of communication, our in-house authorities regularly explore the community’s most critical issues through the lens of their deep knowledge, diverse experiences and innovative ideas.
Melissa Curtin
President & CEO
Melissa joined the Foundation as President & CEO in June 2025. She brings extensive experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership to CFHoCo, including a successful tenure as President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, where she, the Board of Trustees and the staff team tripled annual grantmaking and assets under management in less than three years.
“Melissa’s proven track record of community foundation leadership, combined with her deep commitment to Howard County, where she has lived for over a decade, makes her the ideal person to lead the Foundation into its next chapter," said Barbara Rishel, Chair of the CFHoCo Board of Trustees. “Her strategic vision, fundraising expertise and collaborative approach to community engagement align perfectly with our mission and values."
Throughout her career, Curtin has demonstrated excellence in board development, communications, community engagement, fund development, and strategic planning. Her experience includes leadership roles at the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence in Richmond, Virginia, the Forum for Youth Investment in Washington, D.C. and Corporate Voices for Working Families. She also managed a corporate foundation with a $32 million grantmaking budget for youth development programs.
“I believe deeply in the power of philanthropy and the vital partnerships between nonprofits, donors, and our community,” said Curtin. “I’m honored to join the Community Foundation of Howard County and to partner with the Board of Trustees, the dedicated staff, generous donors, and community partners to expand the Foundation’s impact and contribute along with those who are already shaping a stronger, more equitable Howard County.”
Melissa holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wyoming, along with numerous professional certifications.
Dee Athey
Director of Grants and Community Engagement
Dee Athey is the Director of Grants and Community Engagement at the Community Foundation of Howard County. Dee directs CFHoCo’s donor-recommended and discretionary grants.
She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit work and program development, management and evaluation. She led community service initiatives, developed funding proposals, managed grant programs, directed fundraising efforts, worked with donors and built strategic partnerships benefiting nonprofit organizations.
Dee lives in Jessup with her husband and loves summer weather, reading, cooking and spending time in nature. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Austin College in Sherman, Texas and a Master of Science from The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. As a Texas native, Dee loves football and is always on the quest for good Tex-Mex food.
Dee’s favorite things about Howard County are the county’s diverse population, Patapsco Valley State Park and being able to enjoy a true Fall Season every year.
Dan Flynn
Director of Development, Marketing and Communications
As Director of Development, Marketing and Communications, Dan Flynn is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to bring in resources to the Community Foundation of Howard County in support of its mission. Maintaining strategic partnerships with volunteers, donors, community and business leaders, he tells the many stories of the Foundation to bring in needed funds for the Howard County nonprofit community.
Prior to joining the Community Foundation of Howard County, Dan served as Director of Business Development and Events for Inside Lacrosse, a media and events company, where he led brand development and new business and
revenue growth.
Dan previously served as Assistant Director of Athletics for corporate sales, marketing and promotions for Towson University and Director of Marketing, Promotions and Community Relations for the University of Pennsylvania. He also directed Blue Jays Unlimited, the athletics annual fund for Johns Hopkins University.
Dan earned both his MBA in management and bachelor’s degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University. He also has taught as an adjunct professor of sport marketing at Towson University.
Dan and his wife, Amy, live in Columbia with their two children, Hannah and Bennett. Dan loves to spend time with family and friends, and his hobbies include music, cooking, reading, coaching and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Dan’s favorite things about Howard County are the diversity of people and places, the incredible parks and open spaces, along with the wonderful community of families in his neighborhood.
Contact Dan: dflynn@cfhoco.org 410-730-7840 x8
Juliet Gomez
Executive Assistant
Juliet Gomez is the Executive Assistant to the president and CEO, Melissa Curtis. She supports Melissa with day-to-day administrative details and manages her schedule. Juliet is the primary liaison between the foundation and members of the Board of Trustees and the many supporting working committees of volunteers. Additionally, she is one of the primary contacts with current and prospective donors, staff, local nonprofits and other members of the Howard County community.
Juliet joined the CFHoCo team in February of 2021. She brings two decades of executive office management experience, primarily in the field of healthcare. Before coming to the foundation, she was the practice manager for Prudent Medical Associates at Providence Hospital. Prior to that, she spent 18 years with the University of Maryland Capital Region Health Medical Group, primarily as the Assistant to the President and Vice President of Medical Affairs. She also served as a legal administrative assistant and client coordinator during her time at the university.
She earned both an MBA and a bachelors of science in business management from the University of Phoenix.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Before relocating to Maryland in 1990 with her three children, she served as a legal secretary in the Department of Investigations for Mayor Ed Koch.
Juliet enjoys sightseeing and spending quality time with her family. Juliet’s favorite things about Howard County are the cultural diversity, the beautiful parks and open space areas to visit and the many fine dining options.
Jay Vidyarthi
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Jay A. Vidyarthi manages the daily operations of the Community Foundation of Howard County and takes on other duties as assigned. He is slowly learning, with mounting horror, how much can be crammed into “other duties as assigned.”
He began working at the foundation in 2018 in the role of Operations Manager. In November of 2020, Jay was promoted to Director of Operations, Compliance and Human Resources. He became the Vice President of Operations in January of 2023, and in August of 2025 became the VP of Finance and Operations.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Jay earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Temple University.
Jay’s favorite thing about Howard County is the diversity of people.
Diane Zanko
Philanthropic Services Assistant
Diane Zanko is the Community Foundation of Howard County’s Philanthropic Services Assistant. Diane is responsible for data management, book-keeping and helps process grants. She is often tapped to help with special projects like community initiatives.
Diane comes from a computer programming and data management background and has been with CFHoCo since 2015. Diane has a daughter, a son, six grandsons and lives in Laurel with her sister and their tiny lapdog Nina, a 130 pound Rottweiler.
Diane’s favorite thing about Howard County is working with the team at CFHoCo.
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