Thank you for visiting my website to learn more about me and my work. My name is Cesar Aleman and I currently serve as Director of the Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative, a partnership between the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and Fairfield County's Community Foundation.
In my current role, I facilitate and coordinate the team of community foundation chief executives and senior level staff from the three community foundations to develop collective strategies to dismantle structural racism and advance social and economic mobility; aligning the strategic and programmatic efforts of the three foundations to create an actionable plan that builds on each organization’s individual strengths.
I was attracted to this role because it is closely aligned to my personal values of anti-racism, equity, and justice. These values were embedded in me at home and at my alma mater, Edgewood College. This role gives me an opportunity to build on my personal and professional experiences while expanding my skills, relationships, and networks. I enjoy the challenge of working in complex structures across foundations and co-creating and coordinating strategies and initiatives across various sectors and with various partners.
I have devoted my career to human and civil rights and have over 15 years of experience working across sectors to build a just and equitable society where people have ample opportunity to thrive and lead healthy lives. I previously organized for the Center for Leadership and Justice, where I developed racially-conscious leaders who act collectively on issues that intersect with race and poverty. I am committed to justice and equity work and enjoy working with others across sectors to build happy, prosperous, and resilient communities.
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband, our friends, and family. I enjoy learning new things and taking on new challenging experiences. We recently took a pottery class that helped increase my patience and remind me that there is beauty in imperfections.
A quote best represents my personal philosophy:
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” ― Peter Drucker
Some volunteer activities that reflect my personal and professional interests and skills:
I was a founding member of ARC for Justice's Board of Directors, a housing justice organization that works to increase equitable access to safe and affordable housing.
I also serve as a Board Member of Future Forward CT, an organization providing an alternate path to higher education for working adults in search of additional pathways for career and economic advancement.
Proud accomplishment:
In the summer of 2024, I became the current Water Balloon Champion at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. I could nothave done it without my partner and colleague, Kara Straun, who helped motivate me and did half the work we needed to dryly make our way to the final! A fun reminder that team work makes the dream work!