Gratitude to outgoing Board President, Neill Coleman

Stonewall Board President, Neill Coleman, gives remarks at the 2019 Vision Awards

As this tumultuous year closes, and we welcome Rachel Korberg as Board President in 2021, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable leadership of our outgoing Board President, Neill Coleman.

From 2016 to 2020, Stonewall enjoyed stable, thoughtful, and mission-driven leadership, and for that, the organization is both grateful, and much improved. According to Executive Director Jarrett Lucas, “The historic growth and transformation of Stonewall Community Foundation over the past four years are a reflection of extraordinary board leadership, and this transition affirms exactly what is at the heart of that: adaptive talent, commitment to the work, and an inspirational vision centered on values. I am immensely grateful to Neill for his outstanding service as President…”

Indeed, after joining the Board in 2014, Coleman stepped into his role as President in 2016 to further Stonewall’s mission of centering those in our community who are most vulnerable.  After 2017’s disturbing racial violence in Charlottesville, Coleman partnered with Executive Director Lucas in ensuring that each member of the board and staff at Stonewall was trained in anti-racism, embracing the undeniable truth that in order to fund racial equity, the organization must always strive towards it internally.

It is not only in racial equity work that Coleman has proved a partner in leadership; it has been his overarching approach to the work. Harnessing his expertise in philanthropy as Vice President, Global Communications for The Rockefeller Foundation, and then later as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Trinity Church Wall Street, Coleman served on every Board Committee at Stonewall; from fundraising to finance.  His work in developing the Fund Partner Program was reformative; as a fund partner himself, Coleman was able to provide insight to the program’s development. His research helped right-size our fee structure and innovate ways to encourage grantmaking for our fund partners.  Additionally, Stonewall’s Board grew substantially in size as well as diversity during his work in the Board’s Recruitment and Governance Committee.

Perhaps most notably, Stonewall’s assets and annual grants doubled in size during Coleman’s tenure from 2016 to present-2020. We at Stonewall are grateful to Neill Coleman for his steady and focused leadership. We look forward to his continuation as a member of our Board and a critical partner in our work.