August 23, 2022  3:40 a.m. 

After serving as a leader for The Ford Family Foundation since 2013, President and Chief Executive Officer Anne Kubisch has announced her retirement, effective late 2023.

A release said Kubisch will continue to lead the implementation of a newly launched strategic plan for the next year as the foundation seeks a successor. That plan is linked: https://www.tfff.org/general-article-news-stories-etc/our-journey-ahead

Board Chair Toby Luther said, “Anne Kubisch led the Foundation through a time of great change”. Luther said, “Under her leadership over the last decade, we have built the capacity of the Foundation to serve our rural friends and neighbors better”.

The release said the foundation has seen significant growth in resources, staff and capacity for connection with and advocating for rural communities during the last 10 years.

Luther said “Anne has guided our team through a strategic planning process that will set our direction for the next 10 years of work focused on ensuring children have the family, educational and community supports they need to thrive”. Luther said, “We expect to grow our role as a champion of rural issues while maintaining our core commitment to community building in everything we do. We are incredibly grateful to Anne for her strong organizational leadership and advocacy for rural communities”.

Kubisch said, “It is the greatest honor of my career to lead this amazing organization. I love my job, my colleagues and the goals we share. I know that the Foundation will carry on our ambitious work and maintain the same grounded ethos of connection and collaboration with those we serve. Afterall, wisdom lies in community”.

Kubisch is the second president of the foundation. Her tenure followed the founding president, Norm Smith, who served from 1997 to 2013.

Allyn Ford, former board member and son of founders Kenneth Ford and Hallie Ford said, ‘The Foundation has evolved significantly under Anne’s leadership. My parents would be proud of the growth we have seen and the Foundation’s commitment to serving our rural communities”.

The Ford Family Foundation’s board of directors will conduct a national search for the next president and chief executive officer who will serve the Foundation and communities. The search process will begin in early 2023.

More information about the organization is at www.tfff.org.