The Atlantic Philanthropies Appoints Gara LaMarche New Chief Executive Officer
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THE ATLANTIC PHILANTHROPIES APPOINTS GARA LAMARCHE
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Philanthropy Executive Brings Record of Innovative Leadership to an Organisation Committed to Social Change and to Disbursing its Entire $4 Billion Endowment
HAMILTON, BERMUDA December 7, 2006 – The Atlantic Philanthropies announced today that Gara LaMarche, a seasoned human rights advocate, philanthropic leader and foundation executive, has been appointed as the organisation’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, and elected to its Board, effective as of April 2007.To ensure a seamless transition, Mr. LaMarche will work with outgoing CEO John R. Healy, who announced his decision to retire from Atlantic last May to return to his homeland, Ireland.
LaMarche, 52, has been Vice President and Director of U.S. Programs of the Open Society Institute, an international foundation, since 1996.
As Chief Executive Officer, LaMarche will work with the Board and Atlantic’s Founding Chairman, businessman Charles F. Feeney, to oversee a limited-lifetime foundation. Atlantic intends to disburse its remaining endowment of approximately
$4 billion and complete its active grantmaking by 2016. It will cease operations soon thereafter.Atlantic focuses its grantmaking on four areas of social concern: ageing, disadvantaged children & youth, population health, and reconciliation & human rights. The foundation makes most of its grants in seven geographic regions: Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam.
Frank H.T. Rhodes, Chairman of the Board, said: “Gara LaMarche is a tested, dedicated and innovative leader, whose values are closely aligned with that of Atlantic’s. His commitment to disadvantaged people and his belief in the power of advocacy, as well as his strong relationships across the fields of philanthropy, international human rights, civil liberties, and social and economic justice, will enable Atlantic to continue to bring about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.”
“Gara LaMarche is the right person to lead Atlantic through the final chapter of its lifetime, which promises to be both challenging and exciting,” said Mr. Healy. “Gara’s very significant experience as a grantmaker, advocate for human rights, and leader for social change will enable him to build on our solid foundations.”
Mr. Feeney added: “Gara LaMarche’s impressive past accomplishments, clarity of vision, steady judgement and sincerity of purpose exemplify the kind of leadership Atlantic requires to make the significant and measurable changes demanded by our philosophy of ‘giving while living’.”
LaMarche said: “I am gratified and humbled to be entrusted with the leadership of one of the most innovative global organisations dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable among us, fortifying public health, securing human rights and promoting reconciliation. Together with Atlantic’s staff and grantees, we will work to address some of the most tenacious social inequalities of our time.”
In an impressive career dedicated to social justice, LaMarche has served as the Vice President and Director of U.S. Programs of the Open Society Institute from 1996 to the present, the Associate Director of Human Rights Watch from 1990 to 1996, the Director of the PEN American Center’s Freedom-To-Write Program from 1988 to 1990, the Executive Director of the Texas branch of the American Civil Liberties Union from 1984 to 1988, and the Associate Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union from 1979 to 1984.
About The Atlantic Philanthropies
The Atlantic Philanthropies are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Atlantic makes grants through its four programme areas – Ageing, Children & Youth, Population Health, and Reconciliation & Human Rights – and through Founding Chairman grants. Programmes funded by Atlantic operate in Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam.To learn more, please visit atlanticphilanthropies.org.