Dear Partners and Friends,
I have been incredibly honored to serve as the president of NEO Philanthropy for over 25 years and during this time have had the privilege to help build and support movements rooted in the values of making the world a better place, and protecting, securing, and advancing vital rights for individuals and communities.
Today I am announcing that I will be retiring from NEO at the end of 2026, but until then I will continue to be hard at work with the incredible NEO team on resourcing critical movements in this consequential moment in time.
I am grateful to the NEO board co-chairs, Kristen Ruff and Kerrien Suarez, who are leading the executive search for the next leader in an intentional, thoughtful transition process.
The Board of Directors have hired a search team made up of Good Insight and Do Good Connections, to support a national search for NEO’s next leader. The “Good Team” will be recruiting candidates in early 2026, and we aim to announce the new president in early summer.
Our community will be instrumental in alerting excellent candidates about this opportunity. Many thanks in advance for letting talented people in your networks know about the position when the job description is public. Please see the press release on the announcement here.
With great appreciation,
Michele Lord
President, NEO Philanthropy
