A Philanthropic Flutist

Her skills as a flutist got her into the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Hartt School in West Hartford, but that’s not where her true passion lies. Nina Kruse recently became the new director of development at the ECHN Community Healthcare Foundation Inc., an organization that she strongly supports.

“Achieving my professional goals and being successful is important to me,” Kruse said. “I am surrounded by people that want to help other people all day long.”

Kruse, 35, grew up and currently lives in Wethersfield with her husband and two kids. The Watkinson School graduate intended to waitress as a means of supporting herself through college but became manager at Max Downtown once she graduated.

Three years and a marriage proposal later, she took her graphic design, events planning and restaurant management skills to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

“My first role in the events department had me working on special projects, all graphic design, marketing and event management,” Kruse said.

Two years later, she was promoted to the annual giving department as a development associate. She worked with donors and coordinated recognition and stewardship activities for the facility.

In 2006, she joined the Eastern Connecticut Health Network as donor development officer, where she launched The Chairman’s Council, an employee giving campaign, and managed the operations of fundraising business management.

Now as director of development, she will oversee the day-to-day management of gifts, events and the corporate foundation, as well as matching interests with capital improvement projects.

“It’s an exciting time for the organization as we are focusing on strengthening partnerships with individuals and corporations that are interested in developing health care,” Kruse said.

Kruse juggles a career and motherhood but still finds time to pick up her flute.

Emily Boisvert is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.