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Rhee, a world-class storyteller, brings a deep commitment to strengthening an inclusive democracy. 

New York, NY – The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) announced today that it has elected Alice Rhee to its board as an independent (non-family) trustee. During her illustrious career, she has served as a philanthropy executive, digital-video strategist, and two-time Emmy award-winning television producer. Rhee is currently Head of Strategic Partnerships & Place-Based Philanthropy at the American Journalism Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building and strengthening nonprofit local news organizations across the country. 

“We’re delighted Alice has decided to lend her exceptional skills and lived experiences to the NCF board,” said NCF Board Chair Jaimie Mayer. “I know she will help us learn and improve in many ways, especially in our efforts to use our voice as a strategic asset for transforming systems and mindsets to promote greater justice and equity in our society.”

Ms. Rhee was born in Seoul and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, by first-generation Korean immigrant parents. As a veteran journalist who covered domestic politics and breaking news, she has seen the human impact of our most pressing economic and social issues as they unfold in cities and regions all over the country. These experiences give her great affinity for NCF’s mission.

“The Nathan Cummings Foundation has an extraordinary history and reputation for advancing justice and flourishing for all, which is core to my career and who I am as a person,” said Ms. Rhee. “It is an honor to join this remarkable board and serve an organization that has set an example for me and for the field of philanthropy.”

Prior to joining the American Journalism Project, Ms. Rhee served as Director of Media for a third-generation private family foundation focused on holistic flourishing for families and children. There, she worked closely with the family and senior leadership team to create a storytelling and narrative change program focused on economic inequality and poverty.

Preceding her work in philanthropy, Rhee spent two decades in national news and was repeatedly recognized for her emotionally resonant storytelling on complex, historic issues. 

As Senior Producer of Digital Video at The Washington Post, she led original content teams producing digital video for all of the newspaper’s editorial desks. 

“Alice’s rich experience in philanthropy and media—coupled with her creativity, critical thinking skills, and deep enthusiasm for the work—make her a wonderful addition to our team,” said NCF President and CEO Kavita N. Ramdas. “Her insights on the current challenges facing democracies can help expand the foundation’s imagination and push the boundaries of our work, which is exactly what we look for in an independent trustee.”   

Rhee has also demonstrated a commitment to public service. At present, she is a co-chair of the Information, Media, and Technology pillar at the Partnership for American Democracy, a bipartisan effort to shore up democratic institutions and practices. 

She serves on the board of theguardian.org, the philanthropic organization that partners with The Guardian to support impactful journalism projects throughout the world and is also an advisory circle member of JustFund, the only nonprofit grantmaking platform designed by funders and nonprofit leaders of color. 

Before her tenure at The Washington Post, Ms. Rhee held a variety of editorial and production roles at NBC News and MSNBC covering national and international breaking news and special events. She was nominated for four Emmy Awards and won two. 

Rhee is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and McGill University in Montreal, Canada. 

For additional information about this announcement, please contact Candice Wynter at communications@nathancummings.org.

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The Nathan Cummings Foundation is a multigenerational family foundation, rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice, working to create a more just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society. The foundation partners with social movements, organizations, and individuals who have creative and catalytic solutions to climate change and inequality.