Below is the announcement from Sara, the Board Chair and past Board Chair of the Ms Foundation about Sara’s departure from the Ms Foundation:
After nearly 25 years at the Foundation, Sara is stepping down as president and chief executive officer, effective November 19, 2010. We anticipate that a new president and CEO will join the Foundation early in 2011. Until that time, our good friend and colleague, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Susan Wefald, will serve as interim president.
Sara is leaving to become the Atlantic Senior Fellow at the Foundation Center, a national nonprofit service organization recognized as the nation’s leading authority on organized philanthropy. During this two-year fellowship, funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, she will work with both organizations, and the broader philanthropic community, to increase the focus on social justice philanthropy and advance thinking in key related areas, such as leadership development and grantmaking with a gender, race and class lens.
For many reasons, this was a difficult decision for Sara to make. She is transitioning at a time when the Foundation is very strong, with a talented and committed staff, a deeply experienced and effective COO, an active and influential board, a more diverse donor base, and an endowment that is again near its record high. The board of directors views bringing the next generation of leadership to the Foundation as an exciting opportunity to build upon the Foundation’s substantial and diverse assets and accomplishments, and reinforce our position as a leading national institution in social justice and women’s philanthropy.
The board recognizes Sara’s exceptional contributions to the Ms. Foundation as a longtime program staff member, executive and, for the last six years, president and CEO. Working side-by-side with talented and dedicated colleagues and partners, she has grown the Foundation’s impact, deepened its work at the intersection of gender, race and class, increased its donor base and endowment, designed innovations in grantmaking and capacity building, and served as a key leader in both social justice philanthropy and the broader philanthropic community. The Foundation’s board of directors is pleased that her appointment as the Atlantic Senior Fellow at the Foundation Center will provide a forum in which she can reflect on and move forward her significant experience in social justice grantmaking and leadership development.
In assuming the role of interim president and CEO, Susan brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of our work. Since joining the Foundation in 1996, she has served as Senior Program Officer, Director of Institutional Planning, Vice President of Programs, and more recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Susan has indicated that she plans to stay on as COO and will not be a candidate for the position of president and CEO. We have complete confidence in Susan and know that you will join us in supporting her during this transition period.
Until a permanent successor has been named, the board, Sara and Susan will prioritize continuity, advancing the strategic vision of the Foundation through its dedicated staff, its effective grantee organizations, and its engaged donors and partners. No changes in direction, strategy or staffing are anticipated.
The national search for a new president and chief executive officer is being conducted by Isaacson, Miller—one of the nation’s leading search firms for foundations and non-profits, with a successful track record of searches for women’s and social justice organizations. The board expects the new president and CEO to be in place early in 2011.
With an endowment of over $26 million, a track record of innovation and impact and a commitment to creating connections as a core social justice strategy, the Ms. Foundation for Women looks forward to continuing our work with staff, grantees and donor partners during this transition period and beyond. On behalf of the board, Cathy and Katie are grateful for your continued support of the Foundation’s mission and invite your suggestions, comments, and ideas during the transition.
Sara is honored by your long-standing friendship and partnership in the Foundation’s pursuit of a just and safe world where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, citizenship, or age. Cathy and Katie join their colleagues on the board in thanking Sara for her incredible contributions to the Ms. Foundation for Women and to the women’s movement over these many years, and wish her every success in her upcoming fellowship.
With gratitude,
Sara K. Gould, President and CEO
Cathy Raphael, Board Chair
Katie Grover, CSW, Immediate Past Board Chair