The Pittsburgh Foundation

Pittsburgh Foundation begins search for new CEO

PITTSBURGH, May 24, 2018 – The 18-member board of The Pittsburgh Foundation is embarking on a search for a new president, one that its chair said will be transparent, thorough and comprehensive, especially in seeking perspectives from a range of Pittsburgh stakeholders.

In announcing the first phase of what is expected to be an eight-to-nine-month process, Board Chair Dr. Edith Shapira pointed to the past four years under current President and CEO Maxwell King as an example of why the selection of his successor is one of the Board’s most important duties.

“Max has been such a strong leader in celebrating the value of community philanthropy and inspiring others to join our ambitious mission to improve quality of life for residents across the region, especially for those who have been left out of the revitalized economy,” said Dr. Shapira. “We see every day how the effectiveness of community philanthropy depends on the character and ability of the person who leads it.”

Shapira, who will chair the Search Committee along with Dr. Walter Smith, who heads the Board’s Governance Committee, said the search is beginning due to King’s long-planned decision to retire in September 2019.

The Search Committee’s charge, said Dr. Shapira, is to “oversee a thorough, transparent and comprehensive process that leads us to the most qualified candidate to succeed Max.” As its first task, Committee members reviewed proposals from three highly respected search firms and chose Boston-based Isaacson, Miller to manage the search. The firm has deep experience in presidential-level searches for foundations, universities and civic institutions.

As part of its research work, the Isaacson, Miller team will be soliciting stakeholders for ideas and perspectives about the Foundation and the presidential leadership qualities needed for its next chapter. The general plan calls for research to be completed by the end of August, and a position description to be made public by end of summer. Candidate outreach will begin after Labor Day and interviews will run through the end of this year. According to that schedule, the Board expects to be able to announce the new president early next year.

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Doug Root
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rootd@pghfdn.org