Joanne Berger-Sweeney Joins Dana Foundation Board of Directors

The Dana Foundation, a leader in the emerging field of neuroscience and society, announced today the appointment of Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Ph.D., neuroscientist and president of Trinity College, to its board of directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Joanne Berger-Sweeney to the Dana Foundation,” said Steven E. Hyman, M.D., chairman of the board. “Joanne brings a distinguished record in academic and administrative leadership, as well as substantial expertise in board governance. Her appointment to the board reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in stewardship and meaningful advancement of our mission.”

Berger-Sweeney will retire as the 22nd president of Trinity College in June 2025 where she served for 11 years. She was the first African American and the first woman to serve as Trinity’s president. Under her leadership, Trinity completed its ambitious strategic plan, Summit, and the largest fundraising campaign in its history. During this time, the college increased financial aid for undergraduate students by 50 percent, enriching the socioeconomic diversity of its student body. Student retention and postgraduation career success rates also rose.

Berger-Sweeney has served on many boards including Hartford HealthCare, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, and the Capital Region Development Authority. She served as vice chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III Presidents Council; a board member of the Allen Institute, the Institute of International Education, and The Henry Luce Foundation; and as a member of the Neuroscience Selection Advisory Board for the prestigious Gruber Prize.

Prior to her role at Trinity, Berger-Sweeney served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University (2010–14) and as a member of the Wellesley College faculty, joining in 1991 as an assistant professor in the department of biological sciences, the Allene Lummis Russell Professor in Neuroscience, and an associate dean.

Berger-Sweeney received an undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Wellesley College, an MPH in environmental health sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in neurotoxicology from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, where she did the proof of concept work on Razadyne, one of the most widely used Alzheimer’s drugs in the world.

“With broad expertise in neurodegenerative diseases, Dr. Berger-Sweeney brings insights that directly support our mission to advance neuroscience that improves lives,” said Caroline Montojo, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Dana Foundation. “Her intimate knowledge of academic systems will further strengthen our efforts to transform how neuroscience is taught and practiced in closer alignment with public needs and values.”

“I’m honored to join the board of the Dana Foundation at such a pivotal time for neuroscience,” said Berger-Sweeney. “The Foundation’s work to integrate fields like ethics and law into neuroscience—and to deepen public engagement throughout the scientific process—is crucial for strengthening the connection between neuroscience and society.”

Berger-Sweeney joins the following members of the Dana Foundation Board of Directors: Steven E. Hyman, M.D., Wallace L. Cook, Charles A. Dana III, Elizabeth Hewitt, Paula Kerger, Hildegarde E. Mahoney, Husseini Manji, M.D., FRCPC, and Caroline Montojo, Ph.D.