October 2010

The Surdna Foundation announced today that Shawn Escoffery has been named as the new Director of its Strong Local Economies Program.  Mr. Escoffery will join the Foundation in mid-November, and succeeds Kim Burnett who served as Program Director from February 2005 to May 2010.

For the past several years Mr. Escoffery has served as the deputy director of the New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NONDC), a community organizing, community planning and development organization, focused on revitalizing the Central City neighborhood.  Mr Escoffery also has a strong background in community and economic development policy and workforce development. Prior to NONDC, he was the Director of Workforce Development at Empower Baltimore Management Corporation in Baltimore, and the New Community Corporation in Newark, New Jersey.  He was also Vice President of BCT Partners in Newark, an organization that provides Information Technology and Program Management services to corporations, the public sector, and nonprofit clients in a variety of capacities. Mr. Escoffery has served on the boards of the Louisiana Housing Alliance, California Community Builders, Scholar League, and Commissioner and Secretary for the Baltimore Human Services Commission.  He earned his Masters Degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University.

Phillip Henderson, Surdna's President, said "Mr. Escoffery brings a wealth of hands-on experience and creative thinking to the Foundation.  We are excited to add him to the talented Surdna team."

Mr. Escoffery joins Surdna at an auspicious time as the Foundation recently refocused its funding guidelines, with a mission to foster the development of just and sustainable communities characterized by strong local economies, thriving cultures, and healthy environments.  The Strong Local Economies Program provides support for communities that seek to increase access to opportunity for all residents to build their wealth in a sustainable manner by funding programs that create economic opportunities and connect people to economic opportunities.

The Surdna Foundation has also embarked on a sustained effort to assist in the long-term recovery of New Orleans.  The Foundation will be particularly well-served by Mr. Escoffery's deep knowledge and experience in New Orleans.

About the Surdna Foundation

The Surdna Foundation - one of the nation's oldest family foundations - was established in 1917 by John E. Andrus, and is governed today by fourth and fifth generation Andrus family members.  With assets of approximately $800 million, Surdna awards more than $35 million in grants annually to hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the United States, fostering just and sustainable communities. Its program areas include Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies, and Thriving Cultures.