Pew Charitable Trusts CEO announces resignation and plans to leave the organization.

Susan K. Urahn, the president and chief executive officer of the Pew Charitable Trusts, has announced her plans to retire in early 2027. Following the organization’s appointment of her successor and their initiation into the role, Urahn will step down, as confirmed by a Pew spokesperson. Serving at the helm of Pew since 2020, Urahn has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission since she joined in 1994.

Urahn, who is now 72 years old, succeeded Rebecca W. Rimel, who retired after a lengthy period of leadership. Urahn’s extensive tenure at Pew has been marked by her dedication to research and advocacy, which has bolstered the organization’s reputation as a leading foundation and think tank. The Pew Charitable Trusts operates out of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and is involved in conducting research and distributing grants to a diverse array of nonprofit organizations.

Under Urahn’s leadership, Pew has increasingly focused on finding common ground in public discourse, underpinned by factual evidence. Although Urahn and board chair Christopher Jones declined to give interviews at this time, both expressed a sense of gratitude towards their colleagues and emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing critical societal issues. Jones reported that the organization has grown stronger under Urahn’s guidance, enhancing its capacity to affect change.

Pew is known for its significant contributions to various initiatives, including arts funding in Philadelphia through its Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. Furthermore, the Washington, D.C.-based Pew Research Center provides valuable insights into social issues ranging from demographics and politics to climate change and technology. As of June 2024, the collective value of Pew’s charitable trusts, established between 1948 and 1979 by the descendants of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph Newton Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew, stood at approximately .1 billion.

In addition to its financial support for the arts, Pew has also taken active roles in civic initiatives. The organization has engaged in large-scale projects with other philanthropists, including the significant relocation of the Barnes Foundation in 2012 and a financial rescue for the Kimmel Center in 2008.

The search for Urahn’s successor will commence in January, as Pew aims to continue its mission of promoting civic engagement and informed dialogue in a constantly evolving societal landscape. As the organization prepares for this critical transition, it remains dedicated to addressing foundational issues in the communities it serves.