Changes at The Weinberg Foundation

Leadership changes at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation:

Baltimore (March 6, 2009) – The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, announced major leadership changes today. In February 2010, Shale Stiller will conclude his originally agreed upon five-year term as President of The Weinberg Foundation in order to return as a partner to DLA Piper in Baltimore, one of the largest law firms in the world. Stiller is credited with making major changes in the Foundation’s professional structure, grant review process, and opening up the Foundation to the community as a much more visible, available and engaged foundation.

The Weinberg Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which is comprised of five Trustees — Shale D. Stiller, Donn Weinberg, Barry I. Schloss, Robert T. Kelly, Jr., and Alvin Awaya – has carefully considered many options for the future leadership and governance structure of The Weinberg Foundation, and they have unanimously voted on the following:

Donn Weinberg, Chair of the Board
Rachel Garbow Monroe, President

With the change in leadership of The Weinberg Foundation that took place in 2005, substantial modifications were made in the grant review process. The newly selected Chair of the Board and President, along with The Weinberg Foundation’s Board of Trustees, plan to maintain the current grant process, retain the Weinberg Foundation staff including its superior program directors and officers, and help ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

Robert T. Kelly, Jr. stated, "Donn Weinber’s commitment to The Weinberg Foundation and its mission has been unwavering for more than 16 years. The board was unanimous in its support for Donn and Rachel in this new leadership model."

Donn Weinberg joined The Weinberg Foundation in 1993 as corporate counsel, and became a Trustee in 2002. He will begin his three-year term as Chair of the Board on February 23, 2010. He is primarily responsible for managing the substantial real estate holdings of The Weinberg Foundation throughout the Continental United States, and also plays a major role in the grant review and selection process. Weinberg earned a B.A. degree from George Washington University in philosophy and communications, and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the school’s law review. He engaged in the private practice of law for 14 years before joining the Foundation. Weinberg currently serves on the Baltimore Community Foundation’s board of directors and is the chair of the 2009 Jewish Funders Network annual conference. He will be joining the board of the Jewish Funders Network in May.

In response the announcement of his appointment, Donn Weinberg stated, "I am proud and privileged to serve The Weinberg Foundation in this new position. My commitment to the Weinberg Foundation goes back more than 16 years in an official capacity, and a lifetime as a member of the Weinberg family. As the Foundation moves forward with this new leadership structure, I will continue to honor the mission of the Foundation – helping poor and vulnerable populations with direct services provided by superior nonprofits. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Directors and our new President."

Rachel Monroe will begin her term as President of The Weinberg Foundation on February 23, 2010, after serving as the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer since 2005. She earned a B.A. from Northwestern University and an MM (MBA) from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she majored in marketing and nonprofit management. As COO, Monroe has supervisory responsibility for nearly every aspect of The Weinberg Foundation’s daily business. Among other accomplishments, Monroe conceived and launched the Weinberg Foundation’s Annual Community Gathering, the Israel Mission Alumni Scholars Program, a new annual Employee Giving Program, and the new Maryland Small Grants Program (which has granted close to $6 million to more than 150 nonprofits during its first year). She was recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record (2007), "40 Under 40" by the Baltimore Business Journal (2006) and completed the Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program in 2008. In addition, Monroe completed the Mandel Executive Development Program in 2007. Monroe is on the board of the Ronald McDonald House and Timber Grove Elementary School’s PTA.

"In choosing a successor President of the Foundation, a prime consideration of the Board was not only to choose someone whose reputation, intellect and demonstrated abilities were self-evident, but someone who will remain true to the wishes of our founders," said Shale Stiller. "After almost four years of serving as COO, all of the Trustees have the full confidence that Rachel will lead the Foundation with distinction for many years to come."

Barry Schloss, Trustee and Treasurer, stated, "The work of The Weinberg Foundation has been greatly enhanced by the emphasis placed on professionalization of the grant review process and the complete transparency and accountability of the Foundation. The Trustees look forward to continuing to fulfill the mission of The Weinberg Foundation and doing all it can to help individuals in need."

As stated specifically in The Weinberg Foundation charter, Harry Weinberg selected each Trustee who has served the Weinberg Foundation to date. When Shale Stiller’s term as President and Trustee concludes in February 2010, based on Harry Weinberg’s directive in his charter, Judge Ellen M. Heller will begin a six year term as a Weinberg Foundation Trustee.

UPDATE: Sorry, should have mentioned… Judge Heller and Shale Stiller are spouses. (That’s the sort of detail you miss when The Fundermentalist is on vacation and Editor Man has to sub in.)