A Message from Ronna Brown and Update on CEO Search
Dear Members,
As I reflect back on 2020, I almost forget that we had two full and busy months before the pandemic exploded in March in NYC. For Philanthropy New York, the weeks before the pandemic included the Board finalizing our new values – the values that we have used to guide our work for the remainder of the year. We were also all gearing up for an intense election season and I was gearing up for my last full year at PNY. And then, as we all know, ‘2020’ happened.
As with other moments of crisis, whether focused in NYC, nationally, or globally, Philanthropy New York staff drew upon past experiences while working intently with the PNY membership to create a plan on how to best support each of you, our members, as you grappled with all that the year was bringing. As a community, it was a year of adaptation and flexibility – and continually integrating all that we were learning along the way in service of bold and visionary action.
Our relationship with you – my relationship with so many of you and the opportunity to support, work with, and be in community with you – is exactly why being the President of Philanthropy New York has been nothing short of an extraordinary experience of passion and joy. Thank you – thank you each for the opportunity to be part of your community.
While I am leaving Philanthropy New York, I am not leaving the philanthropic and nonprofit world. I will be consulting and coaching and hope to cross paths with many of you in the years to come. But for now, I am sending you each my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the work you do and the warmth and humanity you share.
From all of us at Philanthropy New York to each of you, our best wishes for a safe holiday season and a new year leading us to a more equitable and just future.
With appreciation,
Ronna Brown
Philanthropy New York Members and Colleagues Reflect on Ronna’s Leadership
As Ronna steps down after 13 incredible years of service and leadership to the Philanthropy New York community, members and colleagues came together to reflect on her impact on the PNY community.
On behalf of Philanthropy New York’s board, staff, and member community, thank you, Ronna, for sharing with us the gifts of your talents and vision!
Update on CEO Search and Leadership Transition
Philanthropy New York’s Search Committee is wrapping up the search process as we speak. We are excited to share the announcement of the next president with the PNY community in mid-January 2021. Ronna will stay on through the month of January to support the CEO transition.
We thank the Search Committee members for guiding a thoughtful and extensive process to identify a leader poised to build on Philanthropy New York’s strengths and champion our mission and vision in the years to come. The following PNY board members served on the committee:
- Kenneth Austin, Search Committee Chair; The Wallace Foundation
- Kyung Yoon, PNY Board Chair; Korean American Community Foundation
- Neill Coleman, Trinity Church Wall Street
- Yancy Garrido, The Clark Foundation
- Jason McGill, Justice Associates
- Laura Aden Packer, Howard Gilman Foundation
Philanthropy New York’s Board has created a Transition Committee that is meeting regularly with PNY staff and board members to provide guidance and support to staff, board, and members during the transition process. The following current and former PNY board members serve on the committee:
- Maria Mottola, Transition Committee Chair, the New York Foundation
- Phil Li, Former Board Chair, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
- Mike Pratt, Former Board Chair, The Scherman Foundation
- Amy Freitag, PNY Board Member, J.M. Kaplan Fund
