Council on Foundations Announces New Vice President of Public Policy

The Council on Foundations has named Hadar Susskind its Vice President of Public Policy, a new position intended to advance the Council’s public policy work on behalf of its members. Hadar joins the Council’s nationally recognized Public Policy and Legal Affairs team led by Sue Santa.

Hadar joins the Council with nearly two decades of experience in public policy, philanthropy, and social movements. Hadar has been widely acknowledged as one of the leading advocacy voices in Washington, D.C., on both domestic and foreign policy. He has built strong relationships with cross-sector leaders, including members of Congress, administration officials, business leaders, and NGO partners.

Prior to joining the Council, Hadar was the Director of Bend the Arc Jewish Action and the Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC. He served as Vice President and Washington Director of the Tides Foundation, as Vice President for Policy and Strategy at J Street, and was also Vice President and Washington Director for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).

“Hadar has spent years fighting for equitable budget and tax policy, as well as a range of important national priorities,” said President and CEO of the Council on Foundations Vikki Spruill. “We are delighted to have someone with his experience and passion fighting to advance the philanthropic sector. He will add additional strength to our already strong public policy team. His expertise in navigating the corridors of Washington will increase our ability to achieve our agenda with the new Congress and presidential administration.”

Previously, Hadar held positions at a number of other organizations including the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and the Israel Policy Forum.

Hadar served on the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Initiatives Task Force on the Environment, as well as the Board of Directors of the Coalition on Human Needs, Progressive Congress, and Ameinu. Hadar was recognized by the Forward newspaper as one the Fifty Most Influential Jews in America for 2008. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds the rank of Sergeant First Class in the Israel Defense Forces. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

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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 advances a culture of charitable giving in the U.S. and globally.