Fairbanks Foundation Selects CEO
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis-based Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Inc. has named Claire Fiddian-Green chief executive officer. She currently serves as co-leader of the state's Center For Education And Career Innovation, which is set to dissolve early next year.
December 4, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has named Claire J. Fiddian-Green as its next president and chief executive officer. Currently serving as Special Assistant to Governor Mike Pence for Education Innovation and co-leader of the Center for Education & Career Innovation, Fiddian-Green will assume her role on February 2, 2015.
Fiddian-Green will succeed Leonard J. Betley, who has served as chairman, president and CEO of the foundation since 2000. Betley served as legal advisor to Richard M. Fairbanks and his company for many years, and helped Fairbanks to establish the foundation in 1986. Betley served as one of three original foundation board members. Betley, a retired managing partner of the law firm of Ice Miller, will continue to serve as a member of the foundation’s board of directors.
“We selected Claire because of her varied experiences in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors, as well as her background in life sciences and education,” said Daniel C. Appel, who was named chairman of the foundation in November 2014. “Claire's skill set aligns well with the foundation’s focus on Health and the Vitality of Indianapolis, and we are pleased she will be rejoining the foundation in a leadership position.”
“I am honored by the opportunity the foundation has provided to me, and look forward to working with such a talented and committed staff and board of directors,” said Fiddian-Green. “I'm excited to support the work of the foundation’s grant recipients, each of which plays a critical role in strengthening the Indianapolis community.”
There are several other staffing and governances changes at the foundation. Patricia Dean recently joined the foundation as chief financial officer and will replace Roger S. Snowdon as VP and Treasurer effective January 1, 2015. Snowdon, who retires in December, will continue to serve on the foundation’s board. Ellen Quigley was promoted to vice president of programs and will assume this role on February 2, 2015. Betsy Bikoff, who has served as the foundation’s vice president and chief grantmaking officer, is leaving the foundation in January 2015 to start a consulting practice focused on philanthropic organizations and nonprofits. Bikoff will consult with the foundation through July 2015. Marilee J. Springer, a partner at Ice Miller, joined the foundation’s board in November 2014.
“The board is enormously grateful for the leadership, hard work and dedication of Leonard, Roger and Betsy, and we look forward to continuing to work with them in their new roles,” said Appel. “We are excited with the staffing and governance changes that will go into effect in 2015 and welcome the opportunity to continue to support the foundation’s grantees and other partners going forward.”
About the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
Established in 1986, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation is an independent, private foundation granting funds to qualifying tax-exempt organizations located in greater Indianapolis, Indiana. The foundation has two primary focus areas: Health and the Vitality of Indianapolis. A small number of organizations that do not align closely with the foundation’s primary focus areas receive grant support from the foundation due to family or historical reasons.
More information about the foundation can be found at its website: www.rmff.org.
Source: Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation