Cooper University Health Care has named a new chief philanthropy officer for the Cooper Foundation, its philanthropic and community development and outreach arm, it announced this week.
Robert Ortiz Jr. will also serve as senior vice president with the foundation, replacing Susan Bass Levin, who retired earlier this year. Ortiz joined the foundation as vice president of development in January, and was named interim director in March.
“We are pleased to have Mr. Ortiz, who has more than 20 years of proven fundraising experience, leading the efforts of the Cooper Foundation,” foundation Chairman Philip Norcross said in a prepared statement.
Under Ortiz’s leadership, the foundation created a COVID-19 Assistance Fund in April, and has raised more than $2 million to provide medical equipment and supplies to support pandemic-related efforts at Cooper University Health Care.
“For the past 10 months, Rob has provided strong leadership at the Cooper Foundation, raising funds to deliver vital support, including securing (personal protective equipment), meals and other donations for the Cooper team on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle,” Cooper co-CEO Kevin O’Dowd said in a statement. “We believe his innovative approach will be a great success in this new role.”
Added co-CEO Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli: “The Cooper Foundation provides essential support to numerous initiatives and organizations committed to improving the health and quality of life for so many people in the communities we serve. Rob’s experience and passion for this work is a welcome addition to our team.”
Before joining the foundation, Ortiz was a director of gift planning for the University of Notre Dame, and previous served as a partner with the law firms of Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC and Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C. in New Jersey.
