Elisha Smith Arrillaga
The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D., has been named Vice President, Research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) following an exhaustive national search. Smith Arrillaga brings a wealth of experience as a nonprofit leader and philanthropic expert.
She currently serves as a Faculty Fellow and Professor of Practice in philanthropy and education policy at the University of Texas and as founder of Student Success Solutions, an education consulting firm that partners with philanthropies, nonprofits, and government to analyze, design, and execute equity-focused student success strategies. She previously held the role of Managing Director of the Dana Center at the University of Texas and Co-Executive Director of Education Trust West. Earlier in her career, Smith Arrillaga served as Director in the Career Ladders Project at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the first fellow at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and a director at Mathematica Policy Research.
“We are thrilled to welcome Elisha to CEP. Her skills and background make her an ideal match to lead CEP’s research in the years to come,” said CEP President Phil Buchanan. “Our connections to Elisha go back to her time at Hewlett and, more recently, as a valued member of our YouthTruth advisory board for the past four years.”
Originally from Mississippi, Smith received her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Smith College. She has an M.S. in survey methodology from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Ph.D. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University.
At CEP, Smith Arrillaga succeeds Ellie Buteau, Ph.D., who stepped into a new, part-time role at the organization last year. Current research initiatives include a multiyear effort to understand the impacts of MacKenzie Scott’s large, unrestricted grants to nonprofits and an ongoing Nonprofit Voice Project that aims to elevate the perspective of nonprofit leaders on key issues to donors and foundations.
Contact: Grace Chiang Nicolette at gracen@cep.org
Dave Biemesderfer
United Philanthropy Forum
After seven years as President and CEO of United Philanthropy Forum, Dave Biemesderfer has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2023.
“I would like to thank everyone in the Forum network who has provided me with support, guidance, thought partnership, and friendship over the years,” Biemesderfer wrote in a statement. “One thing that has kept me motivated and energized about doing this work has been the honor and privilege of working with all of the smart, dedicated, and fun people in our network. I hope to see many of you in person at the Forum’s annual conference in July.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of United Philanthropy Forum, I want to express my deep gratitude to Dave for his leadership, vision, and commitment to building an equitable and inclusive organization over the last 7+ years,” wrote United Philanthropy Forum Board Chair Amanda Andere. “We are grateful for his thoughtfulness and care during this transition and so glad we have many months to properly honor all he has done for the field of philanthropy.”
The Forum Board will be working on a plan to search for the Forum’s next CEO and will be in touch with the Forum’s membership to share those plans as they are developed.
Virginia Clarke
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
After over 20 years of dedicated service at Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF), Virginia Clarke will step down as Executive Director at the end of December 2023. Ms. Clarke’s contributions to SAFSF and the broader field cannot be overstated. SAFSF’s stature and reach has grown under Virginia’s leadership, from a staff of a single part-time coordinator with a budget of $125,000 with five supporting funders to a membership of 105, 11 staff in eight states, and a budget of over $2 million.
While it is impossible to list Ms. Clark’s many accomplishments during her tenure, her contributions include:
- Hosting critical conversations around racial equity, and together with her board and staff, made important strides to operationalize more equitable practices organizationally
- Fostering connections and conversations that led to many significant funder collaboratives including Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Food and Farm Communications Fund, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture, and more, with reach spanning from global to regional
- Leading SAFSF’s development as the organization navigated three different fiscal sponsors before finally incorporating in 2018
- Building a strong staff and key programs
- Establishing vital partnerships linking funders working at the intersection of food, agriculture, and health
- Leading work with national associations like the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, American Public Health Association, and American Planning Association.
- Confronting the realities of farmworker housing and health issues, communities fighting feedlots and slaughter facilities, and communities facing a lack of access to food and clean water, disproportionate exposure to environmental toxins, and economic opportunity
The Board has formed a Transition Committee to be led by Board Members Andrew McElwaine and Mark Muller. The Transition Team is currently in the process of selecting an executive search firm to assist it with this critical process.
Bonnie Falls and Kyle English
John Randolph Foundation
John Randolph Foundation has promoted Bonnie G. Falls to Director of Scholarship Program Services. In this role, she is directly responsible for the oversight and management of the foundation’s scholarship and award program and brings innovation and best practices to ensure the program’s continued success and growth.
Ms. Falls joined John Randolph Foundation in 2007 as Scholarship Program Officer, growing the program from 16 permanently endowed funds to 80. She also utilized a variety of technologies to fully automate the scholarship application, maximizing both transparency and accuracy in the review and selection process. She brings a plethora of experience in communication, development, planning, and fundraising which is key to increasing opportunities for the foundation’s donors and programs. Before joining the foundation, Ms. Falls was Public Affairs Manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond where she was employed for over 15 years.
The foundation also welcomed Kyle A. English to the team as Scholarship Program Associate. Mr. English supports the Scholarship and Award Program by assisting in the implementation and monitoring of program processes and communicating with local school guidance offices, colleges, parents, and students.
Mr. English brings with him a passion for helping youth. An active member of the community, he volunteers and assists students, whether it is working with the Hopewell High School basketball program or serving as a leader of youth services, a volunteer position, at First Baptist Church in Hopewell. He also volunteers for Walk Through Bethlehem, Night to Shine, Breakfast with Santa, and Youth Life of Hopewell, an organization that provides mentorship opportunities to teens.
Contact: Kevin Foster at 804.458.2239 or kfoster@johnrandolphfoundation.org.
Myron Goodwin
RRF Foundation for Aging
RRF Foundation for Aging welcomed Myron Goodwin, CPA, MBA, as its Director of Finance and Administration. Mr. Goodwin brings over 20 years of diverse, progressive, and comprehensive financial management experience to the team. His work has included problem-solving and utilizing his technical abilities in retail and financial services, the United States federal government, the City of Chicago, and nonprofit service organizations. Most recently, he was Director of Finance at the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management. In his new role as Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Goodwin’s expertise will help fuel the foundation’s growth and advance its mission to improve the lives of older people.
Contact: 773.714.8080 or info@rrf.org.
Claudia Herrold
Philanthropy Ohio
After more than 24 years with the organization, Claudia Herrold retired from her role at Philanthropy Ohio last month. Ms. Herrold was Philanthropy Ohio’s first Executive-in-Residence. Her primary focus was on building strong public-private partnerships between philanthropy and state government, especially the Governor’s Office and departments addressing the health and education of Ohioans.
Contact: info@philanthropyohio.org.
Deanna Van Hersh
Williamsburg Health Foundation
Williamsburg Health Foundation recently named Deanna Van Hersh as its new President and CEO. Van Hersh will use her expertise as the past Director of Health and Wellness at the Foundation to further collaborate with community partners and invest in improving the health of all.
Contact: info@williamsburghealthfoundation.org.