Organization taps former National LGBTQ Task Force leader to head its Development and Communications efforts.
Washington, D.C.- The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) announced this week that seasoned philanthropic and nonprofit executive Russell Roybal (he/they/she) has joined NCRP as its next Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer.
Russell Roybal (he/they/she)
Roybal, a former NCRP Board Member, brings with them nearly three decades of experience as an activist, organizer and resource mobilizer. They have previously served as the Deputy Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, Chief Advancement Officer of San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF), and Director of Training & Capacity Building at the Gill Foundation.
They are also the current Chair of the Board of Rockwood Leadership Institute, one of the nation’s premier transformative leadership development programs for nonprofit leaders and social changemakers.
“Russell has always displayed a deep commitment not only to getting communities the resources they need to thrive, but also to frontline leaders trying to stretch those dollars to scale up change,” said NCRP President and CEO Aaron Dorfman. “At a time where so much is on the line, Russell understands the urgency for philanthropy both to act in the moment and invest in people for the future.”
Kathy Reich, Director of the Ford Foundation’s Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) work, agrees.
“Russell brings a unique combination of skills to NCRP including experience as a senior leader across social service, advocacy, and philanthropic organizations,” said Reich. “This broad perspective will only elevate the important work of NCRP to promote philanthropy that serves the public good.”
Former NCRP Board Member and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation CEO Dr. Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury is delighted to see Roybal back with the organization.
“I’ve known Russell for over 15 years and served with him on the NCRP Board, said West-Scantlebury. “He is a strategic communicator, an authentic relationship builder and natural influencer for effective change. I have no doubt that NCRP – and the sector — will only benefit from their dedication, drive, and perspective.”
A mentor to many in the non-profit and philanthropic space, Roybal’s past accolades include being elected as Chair of the California Commission on the State of Hate and being the inaugural recipient of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Equality Award.
“As a Latinx, male-bodied, non-binary queer leader, my activism has always been rooted in a tradition of public service and the pursuit of social justice,” said Roybal. “I can’t think of a better time or a better place to push the sector to be responsive to people and communities with the least wealth and opportunity. I look forward to continuing NCRP’s work in holding US-based philanthropy accountable.”
Roybal will oversee NCRP’s Development and Communications departments and serve on organization’s leadership team along with Dorfman, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Timi Gerson, and Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Burhan Razi. They take over for Maria De La Cruz, who moved on to the Raikes Foundation to lead the grantmaker’s inaugural Resourcing Equity and Democracy (RED) portfolio.
ABOUT NCRP
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) has served as philanthropy’s critical friend and independent watchdog since 1976. We work with foundations, nonprofits, social justice movements and other leaders to ensure that the sector is transparent with, and accountable to, those with the least wealth, power, and opportunity in American society.
Our storytelling, advocacy and research efforts, in partnership with grantees, help funders fulfill their moral and practical duty to build, share and wield economic resources and power to serve public purposes in pursuit of justice.
Together, we can create a just and equitable world where all communities get the resources they need to thrive.