The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) has announced that its Community Economic Development Program Officer Tracey Greene-Washington will be leaving the Foundation in February 2017 to take a position with the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust as its director of special initiatives.
Since coming to the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation nearly six years ago, Greene-Washington has done a remarkable job leading and redefining the focus of the Foundation’s Community Economic Development portfolio. She has been instrumental in creating a strategy to address the statewide racial and gender wealth gap in North Carolina. She has also spearheaded significant projects, presentations and conversations to develop strategies to address asset poverty and shape ZSR’s investments in community development finance institutions and the evolving manufacturing sector.
When the community economic development sector experienced significant cuts in state appropriations, Greene-Washington played a brokering, convening and bridging role to help transition the sector to adopt a strategic focus that meets the changing needs of communities. Her efforts have helped community leaders reposition themselves and fulfill the missions of their organizations. She has been a tireless advocate for communities, working to leverage ZSR’s strategic grantmaking, convening and research resources, to position the Foundation as a thought leader and partner to our grantee community and to other funders in North Carolina and nationally. Greene-Washington also took a significant leadership role in catalyzing efforts towards a burgeoning rural funders collaborative.
“Working with the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has been an incredible opportunity,” said Tracey Green-Washington, community economic development program officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. “I have been honored to work alongside such an extremely thoughtful and talented group of individuals. I am excited about this next step in my career, but am also hopeful that I will continue to work alongside ZSR as we foster deeper collaboration between these two important philanthropic institutions.”
“While we are losing a very valuable member of our team, this is an incredible opportunity for Tracey,” said Maurice “Mo” Green, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. “We are so grateful for Tracey’s nearly six years of service to the Foundation and are confident that she will continue to bring stellar leadership and a steadfast vision to communities across North Carolina and beyond.”
“Tracey’s energy and passion for her work has greatly benefited this Foundation,” said Lloyd “Jock” Tate, president of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. “Tracey’s longstanding work, especially in rural communities, has helped ZSR gain a better understanding of the true needs of people who are working to improve economic conditions in the places they live. While this is a loss for our Foundation, we couldn’t be more thrilled to see her moving to a sister foundation to continue her important work.”
“The Foundation has greatly benefited from Tracey’s leadership in the Community Economic Development portfolio,” said Noah Reynolds, trustee of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and chair of the Community Economic Development board committee. “Tracey’s passion for community engagement, her strategic thinking, and nurturing leadership style have moved the work of the Foundation forward in its efforts to lift up and support many diverse groups and talented local leaders from across North Carolina, who are investing their resources in partnership with the Foundation to strengthen their local economies and spur economic growth. I have very much enjoyed working with and learning from Tracey. Her valuable contributions will be missed, but we are confident that she will continue to offer sound vision and unwavering dedication to communities across North Carolina in her new role.”
While the Foundation is in the middle of a yearlong strategic assessment process, Greene-Washington’s departure is not an indication of any decisions on the part of Foundation as to what the future will hold. While the Foundation is still unsure of where it will land come May 2017, when it releases its new strategic vision, ZSR will continue to adhere to its values and dedicate itself to the people of North Carolina by building a more equitable, sustainable and vibrant state. In the meantime, ZSR is developing plans to continue its outstanding grantee relationships and other work led by Greene-Washington when she leaves.
The mission of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is improve the quality of life and quality of health for the financially needy of North Carolina. In her new role at the Trust, Greene-Washington will lead the strategic implementation of the Trust’s two major long-term efforts – Healthy Places NC and Great Expectations.
The Trust’s office is located in Winston-Salem, NC and was established in 1947.
Greene-Washington’s last day with ZSR is February 10, 2017.