Quantum Foundation Announces Two New Roles

NEWS RELEASE

Quantum Foundation Announces Two New Roles
New Member Joins Team, Longtime Employee Promoted

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: Quantum Foundation is pleased to announce the promotion of Shannon Hawkins as the new Director of Community Engagement and welcomes C’jon Armstead as the organization’s newest Program Officer.

Quantum Foundation’s mission is to fund initiatives that improve the overall health of people living in Palm Beach County. In its 20th year of grantmaking, the foundation has assets of approximately $140 million and since its inception has awarded more than $125 million to hundreds of local nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.

“We value our team members as they are vital to our mission to ensure people’s health is improved and their lives are enhanced,” said Eric Kelly, president of the organization. “Both Ms. Hawkins and Mr. Armstead are an engine for change and innovation in philanthropy, and we are truly grateful for their service.”

Ms. Hawkins has been with the foundation for more than 10 years. During her time with the foundation, Shannon has led three successful initiatives: navigation, helping individuals obtain health insurance, which resulted in more than $31 million in benefits to Palm Beach County residents; capacity building for nonprofits; and Quantum in the Community, a program that makes small grants to grassroots organizations that provide basic needs to support good health. In 2016, the total estimated value of basic needs services provided by Quantum Foundation in Palm Beach County was more than $15 million.

In her new role, she will work collaboratively with community groups to address issues that impact the well-being of those groups. She will also develop and facilitate relationships between the foundation and community leaders and stakeholders across Palm Beach County to advance the mission and programs of Quantum Foundation. Shannon will ensure that the programming pursued by the foundation is informed and driven by the community.

Prior to coming to the foundation, Ms. Hawkins worked closely with the Palm Beach County nonprofit community in a variety of roles. She served as an administrative coordinator and program director for the Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance (PBCCHA) from its inception in 2005 through 2007, working to improve access to healthcare for uninsured county residents. Before joining PBCCHA, she worked at OMEGA of Palm Beach County from 2001 through 2004, where she helped foster the development of a community where older adults will maintain their dignity, independence, and health. She also worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1995 through 2000 as a nurse and patient advocate.

Ms. Hawkins is a veteran of the United States Army and has been married to Sergeant Dorian Hawkins of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department for 23 years. They have four beautiful children and three grandchildren.

Mr. Armstead will manage program funding and various community initiatives. He will provide assistance to and work directly with community partners, applicants, and grantees.

Mr. Armstead graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. During his formal education, Mr. Armstead also gained hands-on experience working in the healthcare industry. In addition to rigorous study, he had extensive shadowing experiences with physicians and internships at multiple healthcare facilities. His experiences led him to the pharmaceutical industry where he spent six years working with pharmacists and other healthcare providers to improve the health of Palm Beach County residents.

Prior to coming to Quantum Foundation, Mr. Armstead was the Palm Beach market manager for South Florida Business & Wealth magazine where he had an opportunity to work with chief executive officers of large and mid-size corporations.

There is more to Mr. Armstead than just work. He also serves as a worship pastor at Family Church where he uses his musical talents regularly. He is happily married to his wife, Carleen. They have one beautiful daughter Mila, and recently welcomed their son, Zion.

For information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit http://www.quantumfnd.org/ or call 561-832-7497.
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