We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Ilana Finley and Bruce Proctor to the Newman’s Own Foundation Board of Directors. The board is an integral part of our Foundation, providing oversight as we work to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. We have an unusual and innovative structure as a non-profit that owns a for-profit company, with 100% of profits going to help kids, so forward-thinking and engaged board members are crucial to achieving our goals and creating impact!
Meet Ilana Finley
Ilana is VP of Communications and Social Impact for Converse, Inc., where she leads all external and internal facets of Communications for the organization, as the 100+ year-old-brand strives to champion youth creativity and self-expression. In addition, she oversees the company’s strategy for corporate giving, grounded in creating access and opportunity, along with support of its associated community partnerships.
Outside of her formal duties, Ilana is the Executive Sponsor of the Women of Converse employee network and sat on NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment Taskforce, a joint partnership across Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand, and Michael Jordan, to invest a combined $140 million over 10 years in organizations focused on economic empowerment, education, and social justice to address racial inequality for Black Americans. In Boston, Ilana sits on the Board of Trustees for the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Advisory Board. A proud Tar Heel, Ilana also sits on the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ilana moved to Converse after an 18-year career at Nike (which owns Converse) where she held a range of Communications positions, touching nearly every part of the business. Beginning her career as an intern, she truly stepped up every rung of the proverbial corporate ladder, distinguishing herself through insatiable curiosity and a willingness to always try something new.
Photo courtesy of Ilana Finley.
Meet Bruce Proctor
Bruce is an experienced corporate executive and legal officer, having had significant international accountabilities for legal, management, and commercial matters over his forty-year career.
From 2015 to 2024, Bruce served as SVP, General Counsel, Secretary and Executive Committee Member for LIXIL Americas. Prior to that Bruce served as SVP, General Counsel, Secretary, and Executive Committee Member for Diageo North America.
Bruce began his career as a litigator in New York, before shifting over to his industry career in 1987, when he joined Bristol-Myers Squibb as a senior attorney. He then held senior legal positions with Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, and Diageo, before joining LIXIL. Bruce holds an LL.M. from New York University School of Law; a J.D. from Vermont Law School, where he was an Editor of the Law Review, and a B.A., with Honors, from SUNY Buffalo.
Photo courtesy of Bruce Proctor.