The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) has announced the appointment of Kavita Nandini Ramdas as its new president and CEO. Ramdas, who currently leads the Open Society Foundations’ Women’s Rights Program, will join NCF on October 4. She will succeed interim President and CEO Rey Ramsey, who will continue to serve on the board and support the foundation’s mission-aligned investing activities.
“We were looking for a unicorn, and we found her,” said NCF Board Chair Jaimie Mayer. “She’s one of those rare leaders who has searing intellect and genuine humility. She fearlessly speaks truth to power and constantly listens to the members of our communities with the least voice. Most important of all, she has a walk-through-walls commitment to pursuing justice for people and the planet.”
“This is a dream role for me,” Ramdas said. “NCF is one of the boldest foundations in the world in terms of its values, grants, impact investments, and shareholder activism. As a result, it is a critically important leader on racial justice and climate solutions, at an inflection moment when the world desperately needs to see America do the right thing.”
“Kavita is a fierce and tireless advocate for justice and is fearless in challenging all of us—in philanthropy, politics, government and beyond—to honor our professed values and back them up with meaningful commitments to the cause,” said Open Society President Mark Malloch-Brown. “NCF is lucky to have her. I look forward to continuing to partner with Kavita in fights to come.”
“Kavita’s outstanding record as a passionate, transformational, and effective social justice leader and manager makes her a superb choice to be NCF’s next president and CEO,” said Ford Foundation President Darren Walker. “She brings the ideal complement of skills to the organization: intelligence, determination, courage, and grit. This is a great day for philanthropy and for all who care about justice in America and the world.”
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