J.M. Kaplan Fund Names New Executive Director

By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions

The J.M. Kaplan Fund

December 1, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes

J.M. Kaplan Fund

Julia Bator, principal of Amazing Bone Advisory, a philanthropic consulting firm, has started as the $165 million foundation’s new executive director.

She previously led the Robertson Foundation and the Fund for Public Schools, the nonprofit arm of the New York City Department of Education.

The Arc of the United States

Katherine (Katy) Neas will be the next CEO of this nonprofit group that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her new role is effective in January.

She most recently worked at the U.S. Department of Education, where she served as deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Meshie Knight has been named U.S. racial-justice director, where she will oversee the $100 million fund that the foundation established in 2020 to address anti-Black racism in the United States.

Most recently, Knight was a senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

More New CEOs

Stephen Beaudoin, executive director of the South Orange Performing Arts Center, will take the helm as president and CEO of the Music School of Delaware on February 5. He will follow Kate Ransom, who is retiring after 24 years there but will remain on its artist faculty as a violinist.

Rahkiah Brown has started as CEO of the South City Foundation, a community-development group in Tallahassee, Fla. Previously she was director of community impact at the United Way of North Central Florida.

Karen Elizabeth Milbourne, senior curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, will become director of the University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum of Art on January 29. She will succeed Matthew McLendon, who is stepping down after six years in the role.

Yamani Yansá Hernandez, interim CEO of the Groundswell Fund for the past year, will remain at the helm permanently. She was previously a partner at the Management Center.

Other Notable Appointments

Helen Benson, controller and money manager at Liberty Paperwork Solutions, has been appointed as director of finance at the F.M. Kirby Foundation. In addition, Liz Crowley has been promoted from program and communications associate to program officer for the $324 million foundation’s environmental and human services area.

Angela Bishop is now director of philanthropy at Homage Senior Services, a Seattle-area group that serves older people and adults with disabilities. Previously she was executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska.

Johnny Burleson, chief advancement officer at the North Carolina Museum of Art, has been hired as principal for the mid-Atlantic region at Creative Fundraising Advisors.

Kalen Carlson, has been promoted from senior director of financial reporting and foundation to chief financial officer at Brio Living Services, effective January 1. Carlson will replace Kim Hoppe, who is departing after four years to become a consultant.

Gwyn Donohue has been tapped as chief marketing officer at Pet Partners and director of marketing for the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals. Most recently she was vice president of communications and membership at the Pet Advocacy Network.

Hilary Dunne Ferrone, chief engagement officer at the Berkshire Museum, has been named chief philanthropy officer at the Norman Rockwell Museum. In addition, Kathryn Potts, a museum consultant, has been hired as chief learning and engagement officer, and Tiffani Silverman, director of human resources at St. Anne Institute, joined the museum as director of people and culture.

Nicole Epps, chief of staff at the Osborne Association, will now serve as chief operating and financial officer at Brooklyn Org. The $110 million grant maker recently changed its name from the Brooklyn Community Foundation.

Corrina Greenberg has joined the Ad Council as chief revenue and development officer. She most recently worked at New York Public Radio as vice president of development.

Nasra Ismail has been named U.S. enterprise executive director at Alight, which was previously known as the American Refugee Committee. She is the founder of the global-development group Generative Connections.

Jennifer Kalter has joined the Morgan Library and Museum as director of education and public programs. Most recently she was director of education, public programs, and visitor experience at the New York Transit Museum.

Kirsten Lavin, senior director for stewardship and donor engagement at Johns Hopkins University, has been promoted to associate dean of external relations for the university’s Peabody Institute.

Dorothy Lippert has been hired as repatriation-program manager at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, where she will evaluate the inclusion of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian remains and artifacts at the museum. She has been a tribal liaison in the museum’s repatriation office for more than 20 years.

Joanne Meredith has been tapped as vice president of community philanthropy at the Trevor Project, which provides services in crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ youths. Previously she was vice president for annual giving and membership at the National Geographic Society.

Matthew Milios, head of creative operations and strategy at the consulting firm Cause for Content, will join the Pew Charitable Trusts on January 16 as vice president for communications.

Emerson Moore II has been named vice president and general counsel at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Most recently he served as executive vice president and chief people officer at the Brooklyn Nets professional basketball team.

Michael O’Neill, founder of the philanthropic consulting firm Beneficence Partners, is now executive vice president at the Cobbs Creek Foundation.

Pamela Peak, director of development at the Wellesley Free Library Foundation, has been hired as chief development officer at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

Frederick Pettit, vice president for institutional advancement at King’s College, has become vice president of university advancement at La Salle University.