Pew Charitable Trusts Names Bridgespan's Foster as Next CEO
Event summary
- William Foster will become Pew Charitable Trusts' next president and CEO on March 1, 2027.
- He succeeds Susan K. Urahn, who has led the organization for 30 years.
- Foster currently serves as managing partner of The Bridgespan Group.
- The transition follows a months-long board-led search process.
The big picture
Pew Charitable Trusts' leadership change comes amid growing demands for data-driven policy solutions in an increasingly polarized environment. The transition from a long-tenured CEO to an external successor with deep nonprofit advisory experience signals both continuity and potential strategic realignment. Foster's background suggests a focus on scaling impact through cross-sector partnerships, which could reshape Pew's approach to complex challenges.
What we're watching
- Strategic Evolution
- How Foster will balance Pew's traditional nonpartisan research with evolving philanthropic priorities.
- Team Dynamics
- Whether Foster can maintain organizational cohesion during the leadership transition.
- Mission Alignment
- The pace at which Foster integrates his Bridgespan experience into Pew's operational model.