Beverly White-Seals, president & CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo), has announced that she will be retiring from her role later this year after 13 years of dedicated service to the organization.
During her tenure, White-Seals has been instrumental in leading the Community Foundation of Howard County to new heights, overseeing record-breaking fundraising efforts and expanding the organization’s impact throughout the community. Under her leadership, the Foundation has distributed more than $28 million in grants to nonprofits and established numerous initiatives to address key issues facing Howard County. In 2024 alone, the Foundation funded nearly $2.2 million in scholarships and grants.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to Beverly for her 13 years of exceptional service and support to the Foundation,” stated Barbara Rishel, the chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Under her leadership and vision, the Foundation has grown significantly and continues to flourish. Her initiatives and steadfast commitment have expanded the Foundation’s outreach to all areas of Howard County, including to some of our most recently arrived foreign-born neighbors, and her impact on the nonprofit community is immeasurable. Beverly continues to be an inspiration to me and many others, and her guidance and invaluable perspective will be missed.”
Some key accomplishments during White-Seals’ tenure at the Foundation include:
- Significantly increased financial capacity and sustainability of the Foundation
- More than doubled assets under management from $15 million to $39 million
- Grew total stewarded funds from ~300 to more than 400 invested funds
- Created the Foundation’s operating endowment fund
- Elevated the Foundation’s role as a convener and change agent for all of Howard County
- Re-branded organization in 2012 to Community Foundation of Howard County from Columbia Foundation to better represent the larger community that it serves
- Partnered with the innovative Community Homes Housing Inc., a nonprofit agency fund (and largest fund at CFHoCo) to help with redevelopment of mixed income housing units in Columbia
- Spearheaded the philanthropic response for the 2016 and 2018 Ellicott City floods
- Helped form HoCo Responds with three other grant-making entities to coordinate COVID-19 pandemic response
- Formalized a partnership with county government to assist in future emergencies
- Increased the independence and capacity of the Foundation to serve the community through staffing additions, fund development, technology implementation and strategic leadership.
- Negotiated office building/location/space agreement and naming rights donation so that The Apple Ford Center at historic Athol Manor is the permanent home for the Foundation
- Established the Real Estate Charitable Foundation of Maryland under the umbrella of the Foundation to support any nonprofit’s ability to accept real estate as a charitable gift
- Founding member of the Howard County Estate Planning Council
- Founding member of the Black Philanthropy Circle of Howard County
“I have known Beverly almost 10 years and have been so impressed with her leadership, success and growth of the Community Foundation of Howard County,” said Greg Kahlert, president and board chair of The Kahlert Foundation. “Hence, The Kahlert Foundation has been proud to support Beverly and their programs each and every year. Beverly has been a pleasure to work with, and I consider her an excellent leader and a good friend. She’s amazing! My wife, Roberta, and I offer best wishes for Beverly in her upcoming retirement later this year.”
White-Seals has been a staple of the Howard County community since moving to Columbia in 1979 to take a position as an attorney with the Rouse Company. For the next 20 years she provided real estate and employment counsel in the Rouse Company legal department while she and her husband, Jerry Seals, M.D., established their imprint on the local community.
She then served as “Of Counsel” with the firm of Hodes, Ulman, Pessin & Katz, P.C. for several years before rejoining Rouse’s successor entity where she served as assistant general counsel for General Growth Properties. Prior to coming to the Foundation, she was director of work force diversity and provided legal counsel on employment law at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System from 2006 to 2012.
“For nearly 13 years, Beverly has been the cornerstone of the Community Foundation of Howard County,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “A sounding board and staple among our nonprofit and philanthropic community, Beverly’s positive impact has been felt by all who have been fortunate to work with her and benefit from her boundless good deeds. Through her vast knowledge and experience, she has positioned the Foundation to continue to be the hub for connecting philanthropic residents with local nonprofits to improve the lives of all who call Howard County. Beverly, we thank you for all that you have done for our community and wish you good health, fortune and well-deserved relaxing retirement.”
White-Seals has served on more than 20 nonprofit boards across the region, balancing a mix of her professional expertise along with her passion for community service and the arts. Notably, she has served as board chair of Howard County General Hospital and on the boards of Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical Center, the Heifetz International Music Institute and Horizon Foundation. She also is a founding board member of the Real Estate Charitable Foundation of Maryland and the Howard County Estate Planning Council.
In a statement, White-Seals expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and work alongside so many dedicated individuals. She stated, “It has been an honor to lead the Community Foundation of Howard County and work toward creating a better future for our residents. I am proud of all that we have accomplished together.”
Notable Details
– The Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for her successor. The search is being conducted by DRiWaterstone (https://driwaterstonehc.com/position/ceo-cfhc)
– White-Seals has agreed to remain in her role until a new president & CEO has started to ensure a smooth transition.
– The Community Foundation of Howard County will host a celebration in honor of White-Seals’ retirement on Thursday, June 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. Look for more information on this event soon.
– Friends wishing to make a tax-deductible gift in tribute to her legacy of leadership can contribute to the Beverly White-Seals Legacy of Leadership Fund, an endowed, unrestricted fund at CFHoCo that will help continue the Foundation’s mission in perpetuity.
What Community Leaders are Saying About Beverly White-Seals
Dr. Shafeeq Ahmed, president & CEO of the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
“Beverly’s dedication and vibrant leadership have inspired all who have worked with her. As a former board member, she played a pivotal role in shaping Howard County Medical Center’s strategic direction and shares our mission to improve community health and quality of life. As she embarks on retirement, Beverly and her family’s contributions will continue to leave a lasting impact on our community.”
Dr. Lillian Bauder, community advocate and CFHoCo 2022 Philanthropist of the Year
“Personal! That’s what I’d call Beverly’s approach to philanthropy. After moving to Columbia, my husband and I reached out to the Community Foundation of Howard County to learn more about its approach to philanthropy. Beverly learned our priorities quickly and set up appointments for me to tour several local nonprofits. She didn’t just give me a name and address, she actually drove me to the Food Bank, Head Start, Howard Community College and a performance sponsored by HoCoPoLitSo. She also invited me to attend gatherings in her home that showcased the work of other nonprofits. Improving the lives of the residents of Howard County is personal to Beverly. She has shown herself to be a strong leader as well as a dear friend.”
Hima Jain, community advocate and current secretary, CFHoCo Board of Trustees
“Beverly White-Seals is a tireless cheerleader for Howard County. Her knowledge of people and issues in our county is unparalleled. In my personal journey from a prospective donor, to a fund holder, on to the board and executive committee member, it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know and working with her the last few years. I have come to consider her both a friend and a mentor.”
Peter Panepento, managing partner at Turn Two Communications and former chair, CFHoCo Board of Trustees
“Beverly has been the driving force behind a period of transformation and growth that has positioned the Community Foundation as a true force for positive change in Howard County. Under her leadership, the Community Foundation has supported Howard County through natural disasters and a global pandemic, forged strong partnerships with local government and nonprofits, and created a bold new strategy to ensure the foundation serves the community for decades to come. It was an honor to work alongside someone who cares so deeply about her community — and to see up close her impact on philanthropy in Howard County.”
Steven Sass, attorney and former chair, CFHoCo Board of Trustees
“Beverly’s tenure with the Community Foundation has been marked by her personally managing the evolution of the Foundation from its “fledgling” phase in the early years, to a mature, dynamic organization in recent years. Her drive, enthusiasm and intellect have been among our best tools in making the Community Foundation of Howard County THE go-to organization for all nonprofit issues and opportunities in the county. Under Beverly, the Foundation learned that our strength is multiplied by partnering with others – both organizations and philanthropists. Her leadership was key in this growth. During my term as Chair (and throughout the 30+ years I’ve known her), I constantly relied on Beverly’s always sound advice and leadership – and was never disappointed. We wish her only the best in her retirement – spending more time with family, now including her grandchildren!”
