Council on Foundations Names Kristin Lindsey as Chief Operating Officer
Washington, DC—The Council on Foundations has announced that Kristin Lindsey has been named to fill the Council’s new executive vice president and chief operating officer position. In this role she will work closely with Council President and CEO Steve Gunderson to guide the Council’s work as both a philanthropic leadership and a member service organization. Lindsey is presently the founder and principal of Intersector Consulting, which advises foundations, giving programs, and philanthropic associations. She will begin her work with the Council this fall.
Lindsey brings to this position over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a decade of leadership in philanthropy. Before creating Intersector Consulting, Lindsey served as senior vice president at the Donors Forum of Chicago. Her extensive knowledge of the changing field of philanthropy and her expertise in strategic planning and organizational development will provide the basis for her new role of managing the operations of the Council.
In accepting the position, Lindsey identified the potential for leadership and service. “Philanthropy is changing quickly and dramatically. I look forward to working with the Council’s programs and staff, and with our partners throughout the sector, to provide the leadership and service appropriate for these times.”
In making the announcement, Gunderson said, “As the Council on Foundations expands its leadership and membership service roles, it is crucial we have the right person to translate our vision and strategies into programs and services. Kristin brings all the right skill sets and experience to this work. She is a highly recognized leader who will add value to the Council’s work and credibility.”
The Council is working to help philanthropy grow and to reposition itself as not only a trusted professional services and support organization but also an innovative and visionary philanthropic thought leader and advocate. It is also transitioning in December to state-of- the-art headquarters and orchestrating the historically unprecedented Philanthropy’s Vision: A Leadership Summit for May 2008. Given the expanded work of the Council, Gunderson and the board of directors chose to create the executive vice president and chief operating officer position to realize the Council’s new vision.
Maxwell King, president and CEO of The Heinz Endowments and chairman of the Council’s board of directors, expressed the optimism of the board in this selection. “We are very excited about Kristin joining the Council. Kristin and Steve will provide the right combination of leadership and communications. Steve’s knowledge of the public sector and Kristin’s knowledge of the philanthropic sector are a perfect combination for leading us at this important time for potential growth, service, and influence.”
Lindsey, 41, currently lives in Petersburg, Virginia, is a member of the board of the Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations and has served many organizations including the Association of Black Foundation Executives, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Kristin attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois, and did her graduate study at DePaul University.
The Council on Foundations is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit membership association of more than 2,000 grant making foundations and corporations, with assets totaling more than $282 billion. The Council is a vision and voice of philanthropy at the national level and a valued partner globally. The Council provides the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.