Gulf Coast CEO Announces 2023 Retirement Plans

After 14 years, Gulf Coast Community Foundation CEO Dr. Mark S. Pritchett has announced his retirement

Dr. Mark S. Pritchett, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation has announced his plans to retire in 2023. The Board and Pritchett have agreed that he will play a significant leadership role through the selection and onboarding of his successor. Mark’s retirement is part of a well-planned, organization-wide succession planning process that has been established under his direction for all Gulf Coast employees.

Mark Pritchett

Pritchett joined Gulf Coast in 2008 as Vice President of Community Investment and subsequently was selected President|CEO in 2015. “My work at Gulf Coast has been some of the most rewarding of my lifetime,” Pritchett recounted. “When I look back in time, which I rarely do, I am so proud of our accomplishments achieved by our spirited board, our talented team, our generous donors, and our dedicated community partners.”

Under Pritchett’s leadership, Gulf Coast has solidified its positive reputation as a regional leader and as a national high performing community foundation. “There are so many achievements that we can celebrate—our fast-growing donor base, The Bay, The Legacy Trail, our COVID Response Initiative with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, our great schools, and our thriving arts and cultural community. It has been an honor for me working with our wonderful team while playing a strategic role in all of our accomplishments.”

Former Board Chair Pauline Wamsler said that Pritchett is a highly respected leader across Florida. Gulf Coast has been fortunate to have Mark play a leadership role in our region through some exciting times. “One of Mark’s greatest attributes is leading and challenging an incredibly talented professional team to achieve at higher levels. Through his leadership, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has never been stronger. He has built an incredible organization which will accelerate our success into the future.”

Gulf Coast has been recognized nationally as a top 25 “best place to work” three times under Pritchett’s leadership (and the last time a top 10) and the only community foundation in the top 50 nonprofits in the country. CEO Dr. Mark S. Pritchett Announces Retirement

Under Mark’s leadership and together with its donors, Gulf Coast’s asset growth and philanthropy are at an all-time high. Gulf Coast has seen growth of nearly $360 million in new gifts since he became CEO in 2015 while grants to nonprofits increased by over $300 million. Gulf Coast cumulative grants since 1995 are at $472 million while gifts are over $500 million.

Former Board Chair Pauline Wamsler has appointed a CEO Search Committee that includes Pritchett as a critical committee member. The Board is thrilled that Pritchett is committed to leading Gulf Coast until the selection process and transition are complete. “This will be a seamless change for Gulf Coast,” Wamsler emphasized. “Over the next decade, we have some very ambitious goals and Mark will continue to lead this organization and ensure that we fast-track our continued success.”

The Board CEO Search Committee members are:

Lisa Krouse, Co-chair, Current Board Vice Chair

Rod Hershberger, Co-chair, Former Board Chair

David Green, Current Board Chair

Mark Pritchett, Current President|CEO

Tracy Knight, Board Member and Governance Committee Chair

Anand Pallegar, Board Member and former Community Leadership Committee Chair

Michael Saunders, Former Board Member and community leader

Pauline Wamsler, Former Board Chair


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