Council on Foundations Names Three Philanthropic Leaders to its Board of Directors
The Council on Foundations today announced the appointment of three philanthropic leaders to its Board of Directors – Brennan Gould, Mae Hong and Peter Laugharn.
Brennan Gould serves as President & CEO of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, a grantmaking organization with a mission to drive positive, sustainable change in Charlottesville and its surrounding communities; Mae Hong serves as Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a global nonprofit organization committed to helping donors achieve their vision of creating thoughtful, effective philanthropy; and Peter Laugharn serves as President & CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a family foundation committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that help improve the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage.
“We are fortunate to welcome this distinguished slate of leaders to the Board,” said Jamie Merisotis, Council Board Chair and President, Lumina Foundation. “They join us at an exciting time as we reimagine the Council’s role in supporting philanthropy. I am confident they will add significant value to the Board and I look forward to our future collaboration.”
As the governing body of the Council, the Board provides strategic support and thought leadership to the organization. Each member brings with them deep experience in public service and an unyielding commitment to supporting the work of nonprofits and communities across the United States and around the world. In 2020, the Board will lead the Council’s strategic planning efforts, define the organization’s new mission, vision and core beliefs and continue to provide fiduciary oversight.
“I am thrilled to have Brennan, Mae and Peter join the Council’s Board of Directors. Their combined experience and knowledge of what ethical and effective philanthropy looks like makes them perfectly suited to help lead the organization into the future, said Kathleen Enright, President & CEO, Council on Foundations. “I look forward to working with them as we build a strong, trusted Council that supports our members and the field to advance the greater good.”
Brennan, Mae and Peter join a diverse group of leaders current Board members include: Tonya Allen, Vice Chair and President & CEO, Skillman Foundation; Kathleen McLaughlin, Secretary and President, Walmart Foundation; Kenneth M. Jones, II, Treasurer and Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, MacArthur Foundation; Randall Royster, Audit Chair and President & CEO, Albuquerque Community Foundation; Juan Martinez, Vice President, CFO & Treasurer, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Tony Mestres, President & CEO, The Seattle Foundation; Mason Rummel, President, James Graham Brown Foundation; and Ridgway White, President, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
New Council Board members were voted on and confirmed during the annual meeting of members on December 4, 2019, and began their terms, January 1, 2020. Council Board members are eligible to serve two, three-year terms.
###
About Brennan Gould
Brennan Gould serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, a grantmaking organization with a mission to drive positive, sustainable change in Charlottesville and its surrounding communities. She is responsible for directing Foundation strategy and operations, and for ensuring that the Foundation’s mission is fulfilled through expanding relationships with the community. She serves as an ex-officio member of the Foundation’s Governing Board, to which she reports. Prior to serving in this role, Gould was influential in creating the Heal Charlottesville Fund and received national recognition for the organization’s response to white supremacist attacks in Charlottesville in 2017.
About Mae Hong
Mae Hong serves as Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a global nonprofit organization committed to helping donors achieve their vision of creating thoughtful, effective philanthropy. In this role, Hong led the opening of the organization’s Chicago office where she serves as a trusted partner to individual donors, family foundations and corporations throughout the Midwest. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit and philanthropy experience, she provides high-touch customer service to help clients develop effective strategies and discover the joy in their philanthropic journey. She is also a frequent speaker and writer about issues, trends and ideas in philanthropy. With a deep knowledge of major giving trends, Mae advises clients on best practices to create innovative funding programs or initiatives.
About Peter Laugharn
Peter Laugharn serves as President & CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a family foundation committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that help improve the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage. Laugharn is a passionate leader with 25 years of foundation and nonprofit experience internationally, with a focus on improving the well-being of vulnerable children. Prior to his current role, Laugharn served for six years as executive director of the Netherlands-based Bernard van Leer Foundation, a private foundation that works to improve opportunities for children up to age eight who are growing up in socially and economically difficult circumstances. He was director of programs at the Foundation for three years before becoming executive director.
About the Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations exists to help philanthropy be a strong and trusted partner in advancing the greater good. Building on our 70-year history, we are charting a course for the field where funders display high integrity, earn and maintain the public's trust and serve as excellent stewards of philanthropic resources. We imagine a world where givers of all kinds are sophisticated and vital players in creating more equitable communities and a better world.
