The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation has named Sonja Pagniano as its new executive director.

The foundation welcomed Pagniano in a May 9 news release.

“We are very excited to welcome Sonja on board,” said NCPA Foundation President Jerry Shapiro, PharmD. “Throughout her career, she has a proven track record of ensuring her organizations not only meet but exceed their goals. I am excited to see how her background translates into her role at the foundation as we work together to support independent community pharmacy growth and sustainability.”

Pagniano’s responsibilities will include leading the foundation’s growth and the implementation of fundraising campaigns, marketing initiatives and other projects. Most recently, Pagniano served as development manager at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She also has been the assistant director of annual giving at the College of Wooster’s (Ohio) Advancement Division, and the associate planner at the Medina (Ohio) County Department of Planning Services and Fair Housing.

In addition to a Master of Public Administration degree from Kent State University, Pagniano has Certified Fund Raising Executive certification, “which means she is certified in the highest standards of ethics, competence and service to the philanthropic sector,” the announcement added.

The NCPA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The foundation was established in 1953 to honor John W. Dargavel, executive secretary of the National Association of Retail Druggists, which was the previous name of the NCPA. The foundation works to improve community-based health-care access by supporting the sustainability and growth of independent community pharmacists.