With much appreciation for her many years of service, I share the news that Cynthia Addams will be retiring as the chief executive officer of The Collins Foundation. As of July 1, 2020, we have chosen Wahl and Associates, LLC to help us in the search for the Foundation's next chief executive.
“It’s been a joyful and passionate mission for me to serve The Collins Foundation over the past two decades. Inspiration from our board, our staff, and the many people in Oregon who work to better their communities has been constant. Although leaving the Foundation brings a plethora of emotions, I look forward to welcoming the Foundation’s next leader when the time comes and to sharing the story of the Foundation’s dedicated work in service to Oregon's evolving communities.” - Cynthia Addams
Cynthia has been with the Foundation since 1998 when she was hired as our first director of programs. She became the CEO in 2007 and has led the foundation through an exciting and productive period these last 13 years.
On behalf of our board of trustees, I would like to thank Cynthia for her remarkable service to The Collins Foundation and the State of Oregon. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown tremendously in terms of assets, grantmaking, and staff. Perhaps most importantly, she has been a tireless champion for our focus on equity, an ongoing pursuit for us, both through our grantmaking and within our own organizational culture.
Cynthia has been a leader, not just at The Collins Foundation, but in Oregon’s philanthropic community more broadly. Over the years, she has served on the boards of the Oregon Arts Commission, Foundations for a Better Oregon, and Grantmakers for Oregon & Southwest Washington. Furthermore, she has connected our work with other foundations in the region through collaborative initiatives, such as the Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative.
Personally, I will miss working with Cynthia. Her consistent dedication and deep empathy for others is inspiring. We all wish her a long and satisfying retirement and know that she will find ways to make a positive impact on the community.T
The board of trustees will be working with Wahl and Associates, LLC to conduct an Oregon-focused search for the Foundation’s next chief executive. Cynthia will continue to serve as CEO until her successor is identified.
Truman W. Collins, Jr.
President, The Collins Foundation