2018’s Outstanding Fundraiser Leaves SOS Children’s Villages Abruptly

In March, Lynn Croneberger, chief executive of SOS Children’s Villages-USA, was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional, a prestigious, high-profile award given annually by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Last week, the charity she ran abruptly announced that a new leader had been hired. Croneberger departed to “pursue other opportunities,” according to Alison Oliveira Wheeler, chief marketing officer at SOS.

The announcement that Neil Ghosh will take the helm of the nonprofit made no mention of Croneberger. Efforts to reach her for comment were not successful.

SOS Children’s Villages provides family homes for orphaned or abandoned children around the world. In announcing her award two months ago, Association of Fundraising Professionals CEO Mike Geiger called Croneberger “the epitome of an extraordinary professional fundraiser — not just someone who raises a lot of money but a professional who raises funds in the right way.”

New Leader

Ghosh spent two years as executive vice president of the Global Fund for Children. Before that, he founded and led SNV USA, an affiliate of the Netherlands Development Organization, which fights systemic poverty in 35 countries.

At age 14, while growing up in Kolkata, India, he started a grass-roots organization to support local children and youths.

In a statement calling Ghosh a “thought leader and strategist,” SOS’s board president, Robert Baird Jr., indicated that the new CEO’s background in the cause was a plus.

“His childhood experience growing up in Kolkata, India, and his previous work with children and youth give him a unique perspective into the mission of SOS Children’s Villages,” said Baird.