Pew Charitable Trusts CEO announces resignation, marking a significant leadership change for the organization.
Susan K. Urahn, the president and CEO of the Pew Charitable Trusts, has announced her intention to retire in early 2027. This decision comes as the organization prepares for a transition, launching a search for her successor. The timeline for Urahn’s retirement ensures that her replacement will have the opportunity to acclimatize to the role prior to her departure, according to a spokesperson for Pew.
At 72 years of age, Urahn has had a long and distinguished career with Pew, joining the organization in 1994. She assumed her current leadership position in 2020 following the retirement of Rebecca W. Rimel, a former president with a nearly two-decade tenure. During her years at Pew, Urahn has held multiple roles, including director of Pew’s planning and evaluation division and executive vice president overseeing state policy, economics, and healthcare initiatives.
While Urahn and Christopher Jones, the chair of Pew’s board, did not provide personal interviews, a statement on Pew’s official website highlighted her gratitude for working alongside dedicated colleagues and board members committed to fostering dialogue based on factual foundations.
Under Urahn’s leadership, Pew has enhanced its influence as a combined foundation and think tank, engaging in substantial research and funding initiatives for various nonprofit organizations. The organization, which has offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other cities, is well known for its comprehensive approach to grantmaking and research dissemination. Significant portions of its funding are directed toward the arts through the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, as well as for research on social and demographic challenges through the Pew Research Center.
As of June 2024, Pew’s funding is drawn from seven charitable trusts established between 1948 and 1979, holding a collective value of .1 billion. These substantial assets enable Pew to support various civic projects and arts initiatives, including a recent million grant to Esperanza Health Center in North Philadelphia aimed at service expansion.
The search for Urahn’s successor is scheduled to commence in January 2025, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the Pew Charitable Trusts. As the organization looks toward the future, the legacy of Urahn’s leadership and the impact of Pew’s philanthropic work continue to resonate within the communities it serves.
Media News Source
