Council on Foundations Congratulates Vikki Spruill on Her Appointment to Become President and CEO of the New England Aquarium
Board of Directors Names Search and Outreach Committee Chairs
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from Javier Alberto Soto, President of the Miami Foundation and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council on Foundations:
“On behalf of the Board and staff of the Council on Foundations, we congratulate Vikki Spruill on her appointment to become the next President and CEO of the New England Aquarium. We wish her much success as she returns to ocean conservation to pursue her passion for protecting our world’s oceans at one of the nation’s most recognized institutions
Vikki has been a transformational leader for the Council in her nearly six years at the helm. Working in partnership with the Board and staff she has helped focus the work of the Council at a time when the challenges facing our nation and the world grow more and more significant. With relevant new programming, an expanded policy presence, a dedicated and talented staff, a solid membership base, sound financial platform from which to operate, and soon-to-be new offices in the District of Columbia, the Council is well positioned to continue to amplify, advocate for and strengthen the field of philanthropy.
Jamie Merisotis, vice chair of the Council Board and president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, will chair the Search Committee. Javier Alberto Soto, chair of the Council Board and president and CEO of The Miami Foundation, will lead an Outreach Committee, which will gather input from the Council’s membership on the qualities and qualifications most important for the Council’s next leader. The Board is committed to identifying a dynamic leader with a vision for building on the Council’s 70-year track record of success as we enter a new era of leadership, results, and service to our members and the field.
Vikki will remain at the Council until June 1, 2018 to facilitate a seamless transition. At that time, Gene Cochrane, the recently retired CEO of the Duke Endowment and former Council Board member, will become interim CEO, serving alongside the Council’s chief operating officer, Julianne Sobral, and the leadership team to pursue the Council’s ambitious agenda of philanthropic leadership including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, stronger policy advocacy and increased opportunities for professional development and convenings.
This is an exciting and challenging time for philanthropy. We look forward to welcoming a visionary leader who will advance the Council’s role in harnessing this energy and propelling the field to build a more equitable and just society.”
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About the Council on Foundations
An active philanthropic network, the Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), founded in 1949, is a nonprofit leadership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. It provides the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance and sustain their ability to advance the common good. With members from all foundation types and sizes, the Council empowers professionals in philanthropy to meet today’s toughest challenges and promote a culture of charitable giving in the U.S. and globally.
