While it may sound a bit cliché, staff who serve at the Murdock Trust feel more like family than mere co-workers. We work together, we celebrate together and we remain in close contact when colleagues move on to tackle new challenges and opportunities for service. Nothing makes us more proud than to see a member of the Murdock Family achieve a new height in their career or identify new ways to help enrich the lives of neighbors in our local communities.
It is from this perspective that we are thrilled to share that Gene Cochrane, a former Visiting Scholar with the Trust, has been named the interim CEO for the Council on Foundations. Alongside the Council’s leadership team, Gene will help pursue an ambitious agenda of philanthropic leadership, including a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, more broadly representative philanthropy, thoughtful policy advocacy and increased opportunities for professional development and convenings. We’d also like to give a special shout out as well to outgoing president, Vikki Spruill, who has provided outstanding leadership over the past six years and is moving on to head the New England Aquarium as President and CEO.
During his time at the Trust, Gene lent his expertise to a variety of initiatives and projects with a specific emphasis on health care following his multi-decade term of service in various leadership roles for the Duke Endowment. We are so pleased that his wisdom and leadership will be utilized to help steer the Council on Foundations. Congratulations, Gene!
