Head of U.S. Programs Leaving the Open Society Foundations to Develop Culture and Social Change Initiative

NEW YORK—Ann Beeson, executive director of U.S. Programs, has decided to step down from her position, as of May 1. Under Ms. Beeson’s leadership over the last four years, U.S. Programs launched a number of new programs and initiatives and significantly increased its support for organizations that expand open society in the U.S.

Ms. Beeson will dedicate the next phase of her career to two of her long-standing interests—the role that art and culture play in advancing social change, and her home state of Texas. She has formed a creative collaboration with The Culture Group and Opportunity Agenda’s Creative Change. The Culture Group is comprised of a number of the country’s top cultural organizers and social change leaders.

With these national partners and other leaders, Ms. Beeson will work from the cultural hub of Austin, Texas, to enhance, expand, and embed art and culture within social change organizations; and increase understanding and support for art and culture strategies within philanthropy. Ms. Beeson will begin this work through a senior fellowship supported by the Open Society Foundations.

“I have had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated, visionary, and strategic people in the country—including our incredible staff, our fellow funders, and our inspirational grantees,” Ms. Beeson said. “I am extremely eager to return to Texas and build an innovative new model for advancing social change nationally.”

Aryeh Neier, president of the Open Society Foundations, said Ms. Beeson leaves an important legacy. “We are immensely grateful for Ann’s dedication and commitment to her vision of a more equitable and just country. She has worked tirelessly to make progress on a range of pressing issues in this country, including transparency, the rights of people of color, and civic engagement.”