WASHINGTON, DC, April 11, 2025—Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is pleased to announce Elizabeth Ripley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Alaska, as the 2025 recipient of the Terrance Keenan Leadership Award, and Jane Perkins, Litigation Director of the National Health Law Program in Washington, DC, as the 2025 recipient of the Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy.
“In a time when policies are putting health at risk, it is a pleasure to recognize two awardees who have dedicated their careers to improving health,” said GIH President and CEO Cara V. James. “Elizabeth Ripley’s work promoting well-being in Alaska is more important than ever, and Jane Perkins’ advocacy for Medicaid access has helped lay the legal groundwork for the fight to protect health coverage for millions of Americans.”
Ms. Ripley has been the leader of the Mat-Su Health Foundation since 2008, transforming the organization into a national model for innovative and impactful health philanthropy, aligning hospital governance with community health priorities to drive measurable, systemic improvements in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough. In selecting Ms. Ripley, this year’s committee members were particularly impressed with her courage to take risks, adapt to complex challenges, and champion bold initiatives, while also serving as a tremendous mentor to those through the field of philanthropy.
For over 40 years at the National Health Law Program, Ms. Perkins has made herself invaluable to the legal aid community and to low-income people seeking access to critical health care through litigation, writing, and advocacy to protect and advance health for all. In selecting Ms. Perkins, this year’s committee members lauded her work as an incredible advocate for the health, rights, and dignity of all people in the U.S., particularly in protecting hundreds of thousands of eligible people from losing access to health care through Medicaid.
The awards will be presented to Ms. Ripley and Ms. Perkins at the 2025 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy in New Orleans, Louisiana.
About the Terrance Keenan Leadership Award in Health Philanthropy
First presented by Grantmakers In Health in 1993, the Terrance Keenan Leadership Award recognizes a grantmaker whose work is distinguished by leadership, innovation, achievement, creativity, and boldness.
The award was established in honor of Terrance Keenan and his more than 40 years of service and contributions to the field. By example and instruction, Keenan charged philanthropy with exercising the freedom to invest in leadership and develop new institutions and systems to confront major needs. He encouraged the sector to embrace both the freedom to fail and the freedom to persist. This award is intended to stimulate others to strive toward this same standard of excellence and acknowledge those whose work embodies his spirit of innovation, compassion, and dedication.
About the Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy
First presented by Grantmakers In Health in 2017, the Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy recognizes a nonprofit or public sector champion who embodies a commitment to principled action, leadership to advance social change, and dedication to making progress in policy and practice despite challenging political environments.
The award pays tribute to Andy Hyman, a smart, passionate, and innovative grantmaker committed to social justice. Hyman asked hard questions, expected honest answers, and never shied away from difficult challenges. Those who knew and worked with him were touched by his humility, good humor, and his dedication to social justice. Each year, this award is made possible through the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
About Grantmakers In Health
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to helping foundations, corporate giving programs, and other philanthropic organizations improve the health of all people. Its mission is to foster communication and collaboration among grantmakers and others and to help strengthen the grantmaking community’s knowledge, skills, and effectiveness. Since its founding in 1982, GIH has developed programming, provided technical assistance, and hosted convenings to help funders learn, connect, and grow.
Contact
Jeff Barrus
Communications Director
Grantmakers In Health
Phone: 202.460.4710
Email: jbarrus@gih.org