After an extensive national search, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is pleased to announce that Storme Gray has been named our next Executive Director, effective Monday, January 20th. Storme has held the position of Interim Executive Director since July 2019.

Storme, the first woman of color to lead EPIP since its founding, has been a change agent and advocate for justice throughout her career in the philanthropic sector. A member of the EPIP community since 2014, Storme was a Chapter Leader and Co-Chair of EPIP DC and member of EPIP’s Advisory Board prior to joining EPIP’s staff in 2017 as our Director of Programs. As Director of Programs, she brought her commitment to social justice and philanthropy to EPIP’s work, developing member programming that centers equity in philanthropy, managing EPIP’s successful bi-annual conference, and re-invigorating the EPIP People of Color Network, among other accomplishments.

“I’m excited to step into this new leadership role at a pivotal time in EPIP’s growth," Storme said when asked about her new position. “As EPIP approaches our 20th anniversary next year, I look forward to working to make our community the place for early and mid-career professionals in philanthropy who are thoughtful, intentional, and care about building a more just future for all.” 

Prior to joining EPIP’s staff, Storme was a Program Officer at the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, where she developed the foundation’s Young Women’s Initiative, a city-wide effort to improve life outcomes for cis and trans young women and girls of color that centered youth in the decision-making process. Her distinguished career in the philanthropic sector also includes roles with The Summit Foundation, the Bainum Family Foundation, and the Council on Foundations, where she created leadership development programming for philanthropic professionals with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In 2020 and beyond, EPIP will continue its commitment to racial equity by cultivating philanthropic leaders that authentically reflect the communities they serve. The Board and Staff at EPIP are energized to enter this next chapter in the life cycle of EPIP, proudly led by women of color. 

Finally, all of us on the Board of Advisors wanted to thank you. We deeply appreciate your dedication to EPIP, support of this process, and insightful feedback along the way. Our community is strong and vibrant because of you and we could not do any of this without you. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out either to Storme ([email protected]) or the EPIP Board of Advisors ([email protected]). 

Yours in Solidarity,

Nakisha M. Lewis
Board Chair

Morgan Shannon
Board Secretary and Chair of the Executive Search Committee

PS - For more of Storme's words about her vision as Executive Director, click here for a letter from her to the EPIP community.