Leadership Transition Update

As previously announced, the Grantmakers for Education board of directors is actively working to identify the organization’s next executive director. See the board of directors’ announcement and letter from former Executive Director Celine Coggins here.

View the Grantmakers for Education Executive Director position profile here.

In order to find the best leader to fill this crucial role, Grantmakers for Education has selected the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, a leading national firm that works exclusively with mission-driven clients and is deeply familiar with the fields of education and philanthropy. The process is being led by Karen Avery, a name familiar to many members from her prior work with member PBS Foundation and Edfunders' Arts Education Impact Group. Karen and the Isaacson, Miller team is working closely with EdFunders’ selection committee, made up of board and staff members. The process includes outreach to EdFunders members for assistance and support in finding the next visionary to lead our network through a new phase of our collective work to deepen education philanthropy's impact on the schools, districts, education systems and learners in the communities we serve.

We expect to be able to announce a new executive director in the second quarter of 2023.In the interim, Ulcca Joshi Hansen, chief program officer, and Beverly Ross Denny, managing director, are leading the organization as co-interim executive directors. You can learn more about Beverly and Ulcca here.

Members may reach out to Isaacson, Miller by contacting Karen Avery, partner (kavery@imsearch.com) or Shalini Uppu, senior associate (suppu@imsearch.com). You are welcome to share your priorities and recommend candidates by reaching out directly to Karen or Shalini.