Valleywise Health Foundation names Phoenix Art Museum exec as incoming CEO

Valleywise Health Foundation's next CEO has been selected from the local community.

Nicole Rivet was selected by the foundation's board to fill this role. She previously served as Chief Development Officer for the Phoenix Art Museum. She will take over the position on June 26.

Valleywise Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization, provides financial support to programs within the public health system Valleywise Health. This includes a public teaching and research hospital, renowned burn unit, Level 1 trauma center, level II pediatric trauma centre, two behavioral hospitals, 13 Family Health Centers, as well as an HIV/AIDS Clinic. Valleywise Health, formerly known as the County Hospital, is the safety-net system for people who are not insured or have inadequate insurance.

Rivet has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising. She was a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals for most of that time. She has also held the Certified Fundraising Executive title since 2011.

She cited her four-year experience as the Phoenix Art Museum, where she worked before and during Covid-19's pandemic.

Rivet stated in a press release that she had witnessed the importance of philanthropy in strengthening our community. I am honored and excited to be able to lead a community-based organization that is dedicated to providing exceptional care to all residents, no matter their circumstances.

Construction of the Valleywise Medical Center continues

Rivet stated that raising funds for the training of future health care providers and to ensure accessibility to care remain urgent despite longer-term effects of a pandemic.

Rivet has extensive experience in philanthropic consultation, including health and human service fields, public broadcasting, national governing sport bodies, environmental conservation and animal welfare. He also works internationally to aid the arts, and is a consultant for international aid.

She has held several previous jobs, including vice president of national development for Catholic Health Initiatives National Foundation, Colorado College, director of corporate relations, foundations and agency relationships, and director of foundation donations for Defenders of Wildlife, Washington D.C.

In a press release, Valleywise Health Foundation Board chair Patti Gentry said: 'We are delighted to welcome Nicole as the Foundation's new CEO at this historic time in Valleywise Health’s 145-year legacy.' Her extensive experience, passion and commitment to advancing community healthcare, advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable, and working with donors in order to invest innovative care models made her a great choice to lead Valleywise Health Foundation's highly-performing team.

Valleywise Health has begun construction of the Valleywise Health Medical Center, a $603 million facility at 24th Street and Roosevelt Streets in Phoenix. The center is scheduled to open in October.

The new hospital, which spans 10 stories and covers 673,000 square feet, will replace an aging facility that served as a hospital safety net for over 50 years.