NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2020 – The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation announced today that after 15 years with the foundation, and 12 years as President and CEO, Ed Henry will step down in December 2020. Henry serves as President of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with its grant programs in medical research, environment, performing arts, and child well-being, as well as President of the Duke Farms Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.

“Ed’s leadership, imagination, and energy has served the foundation and grantees with extraordinary commitment and generosity,” said Bill Wright, Chairman of the Board. “The board and staff are well positioned to continue the success of the grant programs and properties as we begin a new decade. We are grateful to Ed and congratulate him on his successes.”

During his tenure, each grant program has responded to needs in the field and has become known for particular initiatives. The Medical Research Program focuses on early career physician-scientists in all disease areas and includes a special focus on sickle cell and programs to overcome pipeline obstacles. The Environment Program, with a baseline in conservation, focuses its climate change work on natural climate solutions and innovations in conservation finance as well as diversifying the field of environmental leaders. The Arts Program’s focus on dance, jazz and theater has supported unrestricted grants to individual artists and programs for audiences and presenting institutions which address inequities in support and opportunities for artists to develop their work and engage with communities. The Child Well-being Program addresses place-based, community-wide efforts to strengthen families and communities to provide the best development paths for the most vulnerable children, including foster children and those in native communities. The African Health initiative is completing its 12 years of work to assist with implementation research to strengthen health systems in six sub-Saharan countries.

Henry led the renovation and public opening of Duke Farms in New Jersey, now serving over 250,000 visitors per year. In addition to public programs, Duke Farms serves as a research center for environmental scientists working on forest restoration, agriculture, wetlands and carbon sequestration.

The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art includes Shangri La, a museum and center for Islamic Art, Culture and Design; and Building Bridges, a grant program which has served communities across the country with programs to increase understanding for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities.

“It has been an honor to work with the board, staff, grantees and partners of the foundation,” said Henry. “The challenges of our society are enormous, and the opportunities stemming from Doris Duke’s legacy and intent have provided many with the resources to contribute to solutions. The talent and commitment of individuals and organizations throughout our country is infinitely encouraging. I cannot thank the board and our magnificent staff enough for the opportunity I have had to serve in this position.”

The board has retained Spencer Stuart, the global leadership advisory firm, the assist the foundation with the search.

About the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) is to improve the quality of people's lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and child well-being, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke's properties. For more information, please visit www.ddcf.org.