New Vision for Philanthropy
Susan M. Pepin, M.D., president and CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
2014 ushered in five new leaders for major foundations in Arizona
When the bells rang in the new year on Jan. 1, 2014, they ushered in new leadership for several of Arizona’s largest philanthropic foundations. These include the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; the Catholic Community Foundation, Diocese of Phoenix; the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix; the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and St. Luke’s Health Initiatives.
Combined, these organizations have governance over more than $1 billion in assets and annually distribute millions of dollars in grants. They support the arts, health-care initiatives and research, people in need, animal welfare, children, education and the elderly.
Still relatively new, most of these trusts have had just one previous CEO. The five new leaders at the helm of these organizations bring with them new perspectives and ideas to advance philanthropy and create change in our communities. Their backgrounds are different, but they share a common passion for the community.
Gene D’Adamo, president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, is
well-known in the Phoenix community from his former role as vice president of
community relations at Republic Media, which includes the Arizona Republic,
12 News and azcentral.com. At the Arizona Republic, he created the Valley’s
Season for Sharing Program, which has distributed grants to Arizona nonprofits
for 20 years. In his new role with the Pulliam Trust, he also serves the Indianapolis
community and has dedicated a great part of his first year as president and CEO
in getting to know Indianapolis.
Richard Frisch, president and CEO of the Catholic Community Foundation,
Diocese of Phoenix, moved to the Valley from Boise, Idaho, in April. In Boise, he
established himself as an accomplished foundation leader. He spent 15 years
working with Up With People and has held executive positions at the foundations
of Boise and Washington State universities.
Richard Kasper, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater
Phoenix, is from the Valley. He has more than 20 years’ experience in law, nonprofit
governance, community building and philanthropy. He was most recently a partner in
the law firm of Ryan Rapp and Underwood, where he provided legal council for many
secular and Jewish nonprofit organizations, individuals and publicly traded or closely
held companies.
Suzanne Pfister, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Health Initiatives, formerly was
vice president of external affairs for Dignity Health Arizona, responsible for federal,
state and local government relations and outreach to the business community for
the Arizona market. She served on the board for St. Luke’s Health Initiatives for
seven years before becoming CEO.
Susan M. Pepin, M.D. (at top), president and CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, is a nationally recognized medical educator, clinician and researcher. Prior to joining the Piper Trust in July 2014, she served as associate dean for diversity and inclusion and associate professor of surgery and pediatrics at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She is known for diversifying the student body and is a leader in the field of neuro-opthalmology.
The five recognize the challenges they face. At an event hosted by Arizona Grantmakers Forum in November, Steve Seleznow, president and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, moderated a panel discussion with the new CEOs. Among other things, the panel discussed change, philanthropic strategy and the significant role of influencing public policy, and the need for flexibility, creativity and the artful “juggling” of the multiple “balls” they have in the air – balls that will at some point inevitably start to fall.
“Sometimes you don’t know how many balls are in the air,” Kasper said. “You have to focus on the idea you are not doing this alone. Your staff and board also have to have some skin in the game.”
From this group, the community might expect changes. Even though the Piper Foundation, for instance, was founded in 2000, just 14 years ago, “things are different now,” Pepin pointed out. She, along with the other panel members, sees the opportunity as a new leader to effect thoughtful change.
Frisch agreed, emphasizing the need for a clear sense of direction and purpose, followed up with effective communication. “It’s inviting good discussion, hard questions. The most challenging and successful CEO is someone who is able to communicate both publicly and individually.”
