Witt/Kieffer is pleased to be partnering with the Baton Rouge General Foundation Board of Governors in their search for the next Foundation President. This Foundation President will build upon the excellent achievements of the current President who is transitioning to a more focused fundraising role in the organization. General Health System (GHS) is a $450 million private, non-profit 501(c)(3) hospital-based health system anchored by Baton Rouge General Medical Center, which is wholly owned by GHS.  The Baton Rouge General Foundation is the system’s fundraising and philanthropic organization. 

Baton Rouge General is actively expanding its services and locations and has recently begun development of a new critical care tower, a neighborhood hospital in Ascension Parish, and an expansion of its Pennington Cancer Center. The Foundation has played a large role in the development of these projects and is currently running capital campaigns in support of them.  The Foundation provides financial resources to Baton Rouge General to help sustain the hospital in its mission to restore and preserve health, one person at a time. Over the last 10 years, the Foundation has given $8.5 million to the hospital to fund equipment, technology and clinical programs.  In that time, the Foundation has grown to over $11 million in assets and added more sophisticated major gift fundraising initiatives to complement their strong events-based program. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic executive, as the next Foundation President will play a personal role in furthering the mission of the Foundation and continuing to grow its strategic role within the health system and the community. The Foundation President will serve as the organization’s top philanthropy executive and lead the strategic vision of the Foundation.  Working closely with the Foundation Board, Health System leadership, and the Chief Executive Officer of General Health System/Baton Rouge General, the Foundation President will develop and drive the institution's philanthropic priorities.  

The Foundation President will be a senior development professional with significant experience leading a high functioning foundation. The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to collaborate with the Board and senior leadership to chart and execute on the future course of the Foundation, building on its existing strength and structure.  He/she will provide operational oversight to ensure objectives are met, manage and mentor the Foundation staff, and will be dedicated to maintaining/growing the reputation and reach of the Foundation. The Foundation President will conduct himself/herself with the greatest proprietary and ethics at all times, and role model respect, caring and compassion. 

Qualified candidates will have a track record of building and running successful development operations in complex and matrixed environments.  They will have clearly demonstrated the ability to develop deep and sustainable donor relationships, and have achieved success in personally identifying, soliciting and securing major and transformative gifts.  Additional experience will include effectively leading a foundation that encompasses a full scope of development initiatives:  capital campaigns, sustainable giving societies, grateful patient programs, endowments, physician involvement/giving, grants administration, major gifts, annual giving, foundation and corporate giving, employee giving, donor relations, research, stewardship and events.  The Foundation President will be an inspirational leader, and a collaborative executive who is energized by forging relationships and being visible in the community.  A Bachelor’s degree is required. 

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to Mercedes Vance, Principal or Margaret Base, Consultant via: BRGFoundation@WittKieffer.com