New President For Hedge Funds Care

John Budzyna hands over Hedge Funds Care reins to new President Dean Backer

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hedge Funds Care, an international non-profit organization which raises funds and awareness for programs to prevent and treat child abuse, announced today that Dean C. Backer has become the new President, taking over from John M. Budzyna, who has just completed the second of his two-year terms in the post.

“In that time, his leadership, creativity and commitment to the cause have helped Hedge Funds Care navigate safely through the international financial meltdown in 2009 and into three years of increasing revenue allowing for increasing amounts of money for organizations to do the work of preventing and treating child abuse.”

“John has been an incredibly effective and inspirational President since he assumed the responsibility in November 2008 from the founder, Rob Davis,” said Dr. Kathryn Conroy, Executive Director and CEO of Hedge Funds Care. “In that time, his leadership, creativity and commitment to the cause have helped Hedge Funds Care navigate safely through the international financial meltdown in 2009 and into three years of increasing revenue allowing for increasing amounts of money for organizations to do the work of preventing and treating child abuse.”

John has been active in the organization as one of the original founders since 1998 and will remain available for help and guidance to the organization.

Dean C. Backer has been a Partner at Goldman Sachs since 2002. He is the Global Head of Sales and Capital Introduction in the Global Securities Services business at Goldman Sachs. Dean also serves on the GS Pine Street Board of Directors and is a member of the Advisory Board for the State University of New York at Albany. Dean has worked closely with and has serviced the Hedge Fund and broader Alternative Asset Industry for most of his 21 year current tenure at Goldman. In addition to his commitment to Hedge Funds Care, he also serves on the boards of UJA-Federation of New York, and of Comprehensive Development, Inc., a non-profit organization working on education for at-risk youth based in New York City.

“I am a parent. And as a parent I cannot imagine an issue more important to address than the abuse of children. I am honored to be the President of an organization that prevents and treats child abuse. It is essential that we continue working to increase the visibility, funding and understanding of the important mission that Hedge Funds Care represents,” said Dean Backer, President of Hedge Funds Care.

About Hedge Funds Care

Hedge Funds Care (HedgeFundsCare.org) is an international charity supported largely by the alternative investment industry. Its sole mission is to support efforts to prevent and treat child abuse. Hedge Funds Care raises money, primarily through a series of special events held throughout the year. Hedge Funds Care awards grants in 12 major cities in the United States, Canada, the Cayman Islands, and the United Kingdom. Its grantees help children of all ages across the entire care spectrum, from preventive and educational services for at-risk families to forensic interviews and treatment of children who have already experienced abuse. Hedge Funds Care’s general focus is on funding small, community-based organizations, where small grants can have a disproportionately profound impact. Since inception, the charity has made more than 900 grants worth over $30 million. Hedge Funds Care is largely a volunteer-driven organization, with professionals from the hedge fund industry serving on the Board and on local committees that plan events and evaluate grant proposals. The organization has a small staff based in New York City.