Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has named longtime banker and community advocate James Fanelli as chair of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation Board of Directors.
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has named longtime banker and community advocate James Fanelli as chair of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation Board of Directors.
Fanelli assumed the role Dec. 4, the health system announced Saturday in a news release.
James Fanelli. Contributed
He succeeds West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, who completed a four-year term marked by record fundraising and major milestones for the health system.
Fanelli brings decades of leadership experience and a long history with Connecticut Children’s. He served on the organization’s corporate board of directors from 2015 to 2024, including three years as vice chair. During that time, he held seats on the executive committee and chaired both the nominating and finance committees for multiple terms. He was named a director emeritus in December 2023.
Paulanne Jushkevich, president of Connecticut Children’s Foundation, said Fanelli’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the health system as it builds on the opening of its new clinical tower and looks to sustain momentum for future initiatives.
“Jim Fanelli understands that philanthropy is about more than dollars raised — it’s about relationships, trust and shared purpose,” Jushkevich said.
Fanelli recently retired as managing and market director with Bank of America Private Bank, where he advised families and nonprofit institutions on financial stewardship and philanthropic strategy for more than 40 years.
He previously served for 26 years as a trustee of the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington and now acts as its institutional museum historian. He also has held leadership roles with Avon UNICO, the Hartford Bishops Foundation, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Boy Scouts of America and the Golf Club of Avon, among others.
Cantor served as foundation board chair from July 2021 through December 2025. During her tenure, Connecticut Children’s broke ground on and opened its $326 million clinical tower, achieved a record-setting annual gala, and expanded the foundation’s role in supporting pediatric care and research.
