The Nathan Cummings Foundation Selects Rey Ramsey as Independent Trustee
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Selects Rey Ramsey as Independent Trustee
Accomplished leader brings decades of experience as social justice entrepreneur, working across public and private sectors to advance affordable housing, education, technology, and economic development
New York, NY – The Nathan Cummings Foundation announced today that it elected Rey Ramsey to join its Board of Trustees as an Independent Trustee. He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Centri Capital, an impact asset management firm focused on investments in sustainable affordable housing. He joins existing Independent Trustees Sophal Ear, Tricia Rose, and Jane M. Saks.
“Mr. Ramsey’s decades of work at the intersection of social justice and economic development give him the perspective and experience we need at this time as we tackle inequality and climate change,” said Nathan Cummings Foundation Board Chair Ruth Cummings. “We found a wonderful partner who shares our passion for our mission and commitment to innovation in philanthropy.”
Located in New York City, the Nathan Cummings Foundation is a national grantmaking organization that has made $425 million in grants over the past 25 years. The foundation recently announced a decision to increase its giving in 2017 and 2018 and new progress around impact investing.
“Rey is a bold thinker and a collaborator who is known for breakthrough ideas that challenge the status quo,” said President and CEO Sharon Alpert. “He is joining the Nathan Cummings Foundation at a critical juncture, and his knowledge and networks will deepen our ability to use all of our resources – grantmaking and investments – to advance our mission.”
Mr. Ramsey is a social justice entrepreneur who brings more than three decades of experience as an executive in the non-profit, public and private sectors. Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to ending the economic isolation of both the urban and rural poor. From addressing the digital divide so people have access to the internet to innovating across sectors to build and finance affordable housing, Rey has extensive experience tackling seemingly intractable problems. He sees the arts and the power of narrative as powerful drivers of social change.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen to join the board at the Nathan Cummings Foundation,” said Mr. Ramsey. “The mission of this foundation, the values that this family is rooted in, are aligned with my mission in life and where I’ve spent my time and talent. I look forward to working with their impressive board, dedicated staff, and innovative fellows and grantees to pursue bold and progressive work.”
Prior to Centri Capital, Ramsey served as President of Opterna, a global opto-electronic product company and leading provider to the communications industry. Ramsey also served as President and CEO of TechNet, a bipartisan network of leading U.S. e-commerce, clean-tech, bio-tech, venture capital and investment banking CEOs and senior executives representing two million employees and $800 billion in revenue. Prior to TechNet, Ramsey served as founder, Chairman and CEO of One Economy Corporation, a nonprofit organization providing internet service to the homes of low-income individuals. Ramsey served as President and COO of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit organization providing development capital via equity and debt products for affordable housing and community development. Ramsey began his career as the Director of Oregon Housing and Community Development Agency. Ramsey serves on numerous boards, including Claremont McKenna College, Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, MMGL Corporation, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Washington Jesuit Academy. He also served as Chairman of Habitat for Humanity International and the NAACP Futures Commission. Ramsey holds a BA from Rutgers University. He earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation partnered with Koya Leadership Partners, a leading executive search firm that works exclusively with nonprofit clients, to conduct a national search for an Independent Trustee.
For additional information about this announcement, please contact: Artealia Gilliard, Director of Communications at artealia.gilliard@nathancummings.org or 212-787-7300 extension 1278.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation is rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity and community. It focuses on finding solutions to the two biggest problems of our time – the climate crisis and growing inequality. The Foundation invests in four focus areas to build a more just, vibrant, sustainable and democratic society: Inclusive Clean Economy; Racial and Economic Justice; Corporate and Political Accountability; and Voice, Creativity and Culture. For more information, visit www.nathancummings.org