Former Wheeler Board Chair, Ann E. Thomas

Ann Thomas, independent non-profit consultant and former board chair, became involved with Wheeler at the suggestion of community leaders and philanthropists, Mary Fran and Peter Libassi. The couple, whom Ann knew through the board of what was then Center City Churches—now Hands on Hartford—made an introduction to Mary Hess, Wheeler’s director of research & development at the time.

Ann, Mary and other Wheeler leadership formed a professional working relationship, and Ann eventually was asked to join the board.“As I became more involved with the organization, I became thoroughly impressed with its staff and programs,” she remembers.

After chairing the planning committee for several years, Ann served as board of trustees chair from 2007 to 2009, during which time she oversaw the leadership transition between the late David Berkowitz and current President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Walkama, LCSW.

Ann reflected on her period of leadership as a time of significant expansion. “Ten years ago, Wheeler was in a period of substantial growth, and I’m not sure this growth ever subsided,” she said. “Board chairs who came after me remarked about the same thing, which is a testament to the exemplary leadership of Dennis Keenan, David, and Susan. They each had the ability to pursue growth by securing funding to support both programs and infrastructure.”

Ann said she enjoyed many aspects of her role as board chair, including the opportunity to learn about Wheeler’s more than 100 programs and services.

“Clinicians would often visit our board meetings to talk about their work, including the technical aspects of their programs as well as very personal stories about growth and change,” she said. “Each time I’d hear a presentation, I’d think to myself, ‘This is how Wheeler does it. One program, one family, one individual, one group, one classroom at a time. This is how Wheeler makes a difference in our community. This is how Wheeler changes lives.’”