The Centre on Philanthropy has appointed its former programme manager as its executive director.

Danielle Riviere said: “This feels like coming home. The charitable sector is very important to me personally and I am really excited to bring my energy and ideas to the leadership of this organisation.”

Ms Riviere has most recently worked as a consultant in the non-profit sector focused on organisational assessment and strategic planning.

She was responsible for the design and introduction of the Centre on Philanthropy’s training and education programmes between 2006 and 2013, including the Third Sector Conference, held every two years.

The charity has also promoted Joel Shaefer, who has served on the board of directors for two years, to chairman.

Mr Schaefer said: “I believe in the mission of Centre on Philanthropy and will ensure that we continue to do the good work of our visionary founders.

“The third sector is in the middle of significant challenges — greater demand for services, greater demand on reporting and administration, fewer donors.

“As such, the role of the Centre on Philanthropy is more critical than ever as we help organisations use every dollar of funding as wisely as possible, so as to have the greatest impact.”

The charity has also made four new appointments to its board — Dorothy Butterfield, Michelle Cardwell, Rebecca DuPre’ and Cheryl Ann Mapp.

The new board members were recruited through an advertisement in The Royal Gazette.

Ms Riviere said it is the first time the 26-year-old charity had advertised for board members.

She added: “Other organisations have done it and now, having recruited four phenomenal board members, we are definitely promoting it as a recruitment strategy for other charities.

“It’s easy to ask people you know, or are familiar with, but we felt we wanted to reach out further into the community and find the best possible candidates.”

Graham Pewter, acting board chairman since 2016 and a board member for 11 years, is to step down.

Ann Spencer-Arscott, governance chairwoman of the charity, said: “Graham is the consummate professional and we are so fortunate to have had him step in as interim chairman.

“Graham worked very hard with the governance committee to ensure that we have a true representation of the community on the board and to provide guidance in selecting the next board chairman.”