Gerun Riley: Leadership at the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Gerun Riley has served as president of the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation since 2016, following 13 years of working closely with the Broads, who have donated over $4 billion to various sectors, including education and the arts. The foundation focuses on enhancing economic mobility through education and civic engagement, with initiatives like ExpandLA and Paradigm Shift.
Foundation’s Mission and Priorities
Riley states that the foundation emphasizes impactful, long-term investments that address systemic issues. The guiding questions for their philanthropic approach include the potential difference an investment can make over the next two decades, the capacity of the involved leaders, and the necessity of their involvement.
Key Initiatives
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Investing in the Future of Los Angeles:
- Launched in 2021, this initiative aims for systemic change, primarily focusing on education, workforce pathways, and civic institutions.
- The foundation discovered a significant gap in quality out-of-school learning programs, prompting the expansion of ExpandLA, which connects students to various after-school opportunities.
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Support for Healthcare Training:
- The Paradigm Shift program links major health systems and community colleges to create training pathways for high-demand healthcare jobs, ensuring relevancy in education.
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Community Health Professions Partnership:
- In Compton, this initiative connects education with healthcare employers to streamline career pathways from school to employment.
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The LA Local:
- This nonprofit network of community newsrooms provides necessary information to over a million Angelenos, enabling informed public engagement.
A Vision for Coordinated Philanthropy
Riley advocates for a more unified philanthropic landscape in Los Angeles, urging collaboration among philanthropic organizations, businesses, and government entities. She emphasizes the importance of aligning workforce programs with employer needs from the inception of design. Ultimately, Riley calls for more business leaders to engage in philanthropy, reinforcing Eli Broad’s legacy and addressing the pressing challenges faced by the community.
