THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
Lisa Hamilton
The executive vice president and chief program officer for the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), one of the largest and most influential child- and youth-centric organizations in the nation, has been appointed its next president and chief executive officer.
Lisa Hamilton joined Baltimore-based AECF in 2011. She spent six years overhauling external affairs to become an instrumental driver of policy advocacy and leadership development in the sector. Her success led her to be promoted last year to the position of executive vice president and chief program officer, responsible for oversight of all of AECF’s program investments.
Hamilton’s career before AECF was spent almost exclusively at United Parcel Service (UPS), first hired as a tax research and planning manager. After several years, she moved to the UPS Foundation as a program director. Soon she would become president of the UPS Foundation, managing tens of millions of dollars in annual grantmaking around the world and spearheading a $50 million annual United Way campaign. She also led a complete restructuring of the UPS Foundation’s grantmaking programs and worked closely with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to start the national teen safe driving program, Road Code. Her final two years at UPS saw her move back into the corporate side, serving as vice president of public relations.
This year marks the 70th year of operation for AECF, coincidentally created by the founder of UPS, Jim Casey, and his siblings in 1948. Originally a charity focused on foster care issues, AECF would eventually shift and broaden its focus to become the child welfare research, data, advocacy and philanthropic organization that currently dominates the sector today.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Lisa’s experience and vision step into this important role,” said Michael Eskew, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in a press release. “Lisa is an enormously talented leader who brings a deep understanding of the needs of kids and families, and she is the ideal leader to build on the terrific accomplishments of Patrick McCarthy. Her ability to use research and data to develop innovative strategies, and to partner with communities and decision makers to spread what works, will enable the Foundation to help all children realize their potential.”
Hamilton, a native of Atlanta, holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Michigan. Having lived in Baltimore since joining AECF, she currently serves on the board of the Baltimore Community Foundation. She also sits on the board of national community nonprofit network, StriveTogether, which is based in Cincinnati. Hamilton succeeds Patrick McCarthy, who has been with the AECF for 25 years, serving almost nine years as its leader. She assumes the responsibilities of president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2019.
This story has been updated.