Weinberg Foundation Fortifies Leadership with Policy and Global Expertise

BALTIMORE, MD – April 16, 2026 – The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, a major philanthropic force distributing approximately $150 million in annual grants, today announced significant leadership appointments that signal a strategic pivot toward deeper policy integration and enhanced global perspective. Maria Cancian, a renowned public policy scholar, will join the Board of Directors, while Trustee Nimrod Goor has been named the next board chair. These moves are set to guide the foundation’s formidable anti-poverty mission in the United States and Israel through an era of increasing complexity.

The appointments fortify a five-member board responsible for stewarding one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. As the organization continues to fund nonprofits dedicated to housing, health, employment, and education, this new leadership blend of academic rigor and international business acumen is poised to refine and amplify the foundation's impact on community resilience and economic stability.

A Scholar's Systemic Approach to Philanthropy

The appointment of Maria Cancian brings a lifetime of distinguished work in family economic well-being directly into the foundation’s boardroom. A professor and former dean at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, Cancian is a nationally recognized expert whose research has consistently explored the intricate connections between public policies and family outcomes. Her work has provided critical insights into how the child welfare, child support, and criminal justice systems interact to affect vulnerable families.

Her influence extends well beyond academia. During the Obama administration, Cancian served in senior roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). There, she helped oversee a budget of nearly $50 billion and more than 60 programs aimed at bolstering the social and economic health of children, families, and communities across the nation. This experience gave her a direct hand in shaping federal policy initiatives to improve outcomes for low-income populations.

Prior to her government service, Cancian directed the prestigious Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In this capacity, she served as a principal investigator for major national research projects, including a multi-state experiment designed to improve child support outcomes for noncustodial parents. Her extensive body of published work on welfare reform, child support policy, and family economic stability points to a career dedicated to evidence-based solutions for systemic poverty.

“I look forward to supporting the Foundation’s important work combating poverty and empowering community resilience, especially in these challenging times,” Cancian said. Her data-driven perspective is expected to build upon the foundation’s existing strategies, potentially driving investments toward more systemic interventions rather than purely symptomatic relief.

Rachel Garbow Monroe, president and CEO of the Weinberg Foundation, praised the appointment, stating, “Maria brings a profound understanding of how public systems shape people’s ability to achieve stability.” Monroe noted that Cancian’s insight will build on the contributions of Gordon Berlin, who recently concluded an eight-year term on the board.

A Global Vision with an Israeli Focus

Succeeding Paula Pretlow as chair on July 16, 2026, Nimrod Goor will become the first Israeli to lead the foundation’s board. This landmark appointment is a powerful affirmation of the Weinberg Foundation’s deep and historic commitment to its philanthropic work in Israel, where it is a major funder of social programs.

Goor, a trustee since 2019, brings a dynamic background that spans finance, technology, and renewable energy. As a founding partner at Helios Energy Investments, Israel’s largest private equity fund in the renewable energy sector, he possesses deep experience in strategic investment, risk management, and fostering sustainable growth. His prior leadership roles in technology and aerospace companies in both the U.S. and Israel have honed his ability to navigate complex, rapidly evolving industries—a skill set increasingly relevant to the philanthropic sector.

Beyond his business credentials, Goor’s service on the board of the Shalom Hartman Institute, a center for pluralistic Jewish thought and education, signals a leadership philosophy grounded in ethical considerations and a nuanced understanding of Israeli civil society. This combination of strategic business acumen and deep-seated community engagement is expected to inform his guidance of the foundation's dual missions in the U.S. and Israel.

“I look forward to guiding the Foundation during a time of global uncertainty and rapid technological change,” Goor stated. “These shifts are already affecting people experiencing poverty and the organizations that help them.” His appointment is seen as a move to ensure the foundation’s strategies in Israel are not only effective but also culturally attuned and responsive to the specific on-the-ground realities, particularly in the wake of recent regional crises.

Continuity and Strategic Adaptation in a Shifting World

The leadership transition is marked by a clear emphasis on both change and stability. Paula Pretlow, who has served as chair since 2023, will continue her service as a trustee. Her tenure as chair was distinguished by her steady leadership through major crises, including the 2023 Maui wildfires and the October 7 attacks in Israel, which demanded swift and significant responses from the foundation.

“As I transition from the role of chair, I am proud of how the Foundation has met extraordinary community needs while maintaining a clear long-term, strategic focus,” Pretlow said. “I am confident Nimrod’s strong, steady leadership and deep understanding of the Foundation will serve it well as we continue to navigate current and future challenges.” Her continued presence on the board ensures a seamless transfer of institutional knowledge and governance continuity.

These appointments align the Weinberg Foundation with a growing trend among major philanthropic institutions: the deliberate recruitment of board members with diverse, specialized expertise to grapple with multifaceted global issues. By integrating a top-tier policy analyst and an international business leader with deep regional expertise, the foundation is actively enhancing its strategic toolkit. This forward-looking approach positions the organization to not only maintain its core mission but also to innovate and adapt its grant-making for greater impact. By fortifying its leadership with such distinct and complementary strengths, the Weinberg Foundation is signaling its readiness to address the root causes of poverty with renewed vigor and sophistication.