A former executive at Hadassah will head Covenant House/C.H.A.I. Apartments, ending its three-month search for a new professional leader.

Joan Denison, most recently national director of annual giving and grassroots fundraising for Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, assumed her duties as executive director of the three-building complex last week. Denison, a native St. Louisan, headed Hadassah’s local chapter before moving to the organization’s national level. Previously, the former vice president of JProSTL has run her own training/marketing/public engagement firm and has been a financial planner with a focus on families with special needs children as well as a professional speaker and trainer addressing topics ranging from communication skills to conflict management.

Denison replaces Janet Weinberg, a 15-year veteran of Covenant House, who announced her decision to leave in November.

“What we really need to do is let the community know what a wonderful resource they have here and make sure that we are able to fund that resource, both through the subsidies we receive through HUD and fundraising,” Denison said.

The new job will be an easier commute for Denison, who spent nearly seven years with Hadassah. Though her last position was in New York, she remained a resident of the St. Louis area. She said she was approached by the board of Covenant, which wanted to speak to her about the position.

“It wasn’t something I had thought of,” she said. “I did see the job when it was posted two months ago and I did think it was very interesting. When I had my initial discussions with the search committee it got more interesting. As I learned more, I thought it was really something I’d like to be a part of.”

That impression was reinforced during a tour of the facility where she said she saw clean apartments with ample space being kept in good repair. The buildings are well-connected making it easy for residents to get around.

“When I first walked through here in considering the job I was very pleased,” she said. “Just being here for a few days, I can tell they are very responsive to the tenants’ needs when they call with an issue. It’s taken care of quickly.”

She said the new position would be a big change but an exciting one that would allow her to employ a wide variety of skills.

“I’m really focusing on going from primarily fundraising to managing a housing community and all that entails,” she said. “We have social services, facilities management and programming so it’s really a variety of things. We are providing a resource for the greater senior community as well as for our residents.”

Denison said she’s still setting her priorities in the job but hopes to put her managerial, programming and fundraising skills to good use.

“Most importantly what I hope to do is work with the team that’s already here to strategize how we need to move forward into the future with changing demographics and changing needs within the senior community to continue to provide an excellent resource,” she said.

Some of those priorities are likely to include facilities issues. The complex continues to work through a long-term $8.5 to $10 million revamp of its infrastructure funded by a capital campaign and rent increases. Since 2004, the buildings have seen a range of improvements from plumbing and painting to roofing and flooring. Elevators and lighting were modernized. Many showers were converted to improve accessibility, and new countertops and sinks were put into some units. Last year, about 30 efficiency units were combined into one-bedroom apartments that were easier to rent out.

Other moves have improved energy efficiency, including window replacements and better boilers. Last year, Weinberg said the revamp was expected to run until about 2014 or 2015.

Denison said the position opened up at the right time for the organization.

“We are just beginning a strategic planning process so it’s very good timing,” she said. “This was something that was scheduled but happened to coincide with my coming into this position so it’s an excellent opportunity.”

She noted that she still plans to volunteer with the local Hadassah.

“Once you’ve been a part of something, you hope to help it continuing forward,” she said.

Howard Loiterstein, president of Covenant House’s board, said Denison’s selection was the result of an extensive nationwide search, which included speaking with 40 applicants. He said that her managerial background with Hadassah and time spent dealing with training and interpersonal communications played a key role in the choice.

“We are very excited at the prospect of having her as our new executive director,” he said. “She brings a lot of experience to the job.”