ECF President Donald V. Romanik Announces Retirement effective in December 2024
November 13, 2023, New York, NY – ECF President, Donald V. Romanik Announces Retirement effective in December 2024
After nearly two decades of dedicated service, Donald V. Romanik, President of the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF), has announced his retirement effective December 2024. His tenure at ECF will end following the culmination of the organization's 75th anniversary celebrations in 2024, marking a significant chapter in ECF's history.
Since assuming the role of President in 2005, Donald has been a visionary leader, reimagining ECF’s mission with a profound commitment to the core values of inclusive leadership, expansive community, racial justice, and creation care. His advocacy for the ministry of all the baptized has been a cornerstone of his tenure, evident in his writings and presentations on leadership development for Episcopal organizations. Donald has helped shape new models of lay+clergy partnerships and effective leadership teams to empower future leaders in a changing Church.
Under his leadership, ECF programs and resources have been developed, managed and expanded. These include ECF’s Endowment Management (EM) program, designed to assist Episcopal dioceses, churches, schools, and related organizations in organizing, investing, and growing their endowments; Adaptive Ministries that equips and inspires communities of faith; and Vital Practices, ECF’s premier resource site that explores new ways of building and supporting digital communities of Episcopalians.
Donald has also fostered several partnerships and collaborations within the Church and beyond, earning ECF multiple grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and Trinity Wall Street, building relationships with various Episcopal and ecumenical organizations.
Beyond ECF, Donald has a rich history of service, including roles as Chairperson of the Parish Committee of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, Chairperson of the Spanish Language Ministries Committee for the Diocese of Connecticut, and Chairperson of the Hartford Board of Education. His background in labor and employment law, advocacy, government relations, and non-profit law and administration has left an indelible mark on various civic, charitable, and religious organizations.
Donald’s final year at ECF promises to be one of his most significant to date with ECF’s 75th anniversary celebrations kicking off early next year. The ECF board of directors will establish a search committee who will begin a comprehensive search for its next President.
Communications contact: Charis Bhagianathan - cbhagianathan@ecf.org