July 2022. An open letter from GMA’s CEO Mary Philips to colleagues in the field of philanthropy:

I am writing to share with you the news that I am stepping back from GMA’s leadership at the end of this year, and some of my thoughts on why this is an exciting time for GMA to search for a new CEO.

It has been my great joy and privilege to build GMA Foundations over the past forty years, and to meet the challenges of philanthropy in the company of remarkable colleagues, clients, and friends. Our firm has grown from a three-person start-up to a team of twenty smart, dedicated professionals. Our clients’ combined giving now exceeds $50 million annually to nonprofit organizations that are changing the world. GMA is thriving and our team has never been stronger.

Philanthropy itself is in transition. We are seeing firsthand the shifts in focus and methods as a new generation makes its mark, an openness to changing the membership and policies of governing bodies, intense curiosity about power structures and racism, and a loud call to help strengthen civil society.

GMA is ready for a new CEO to reimagine the firm’s role in this changed environment, ripe with opportunity.

Following extensive discussion and planning, GMA’s transition task force has engaged Eos Transition Partners to conduct a national search beginning this summer. Erin Cox, senior search specialist, has taken the lead and will post the CEO position to Eos’ website soon. I’m hoping you will share that with your network.

Once the leadership transition is complete, I will be moving to the role of Senior Advisor and will be available on a consulting basis to GMA and our clients. For now, we are all glad to be very busy supporting our clients’ grant initiatives, governance, and operations.

It has been a pleasure to have worked in this field with you for so many years. Thank you for all you do to make this world a better place.

Reach Mary Philips by email.