President & CEO Emily Stewart Will Transition to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation  

BOSTON, MA – After serving for five years, Emily Stewart announced she will be stepping down in July from her role as President & CEO of Community Catalyst and transitioning to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The Community Catalyst Board of Directors has appointed Dana Clarke, the Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Brandon G. Wilson, the Senior Director of Health Innovation, Public Health, and Equity, to act as Interim Co-Presidents & CEOs upon Stewart’s departure. A thorough nationwide search will commence immediately to find a successor who aligns with the organization’s dedication to advancing a movement for health justice that is rooted in race equity.    

“Emily Stewart’s leadership has transformed Community Catalyst. She has been instrumental in driving us towards our new, bold purpose, vision, and focus on promoting race equity and health justice. Under her guidance, Community Catalyst has expanded its programmatic reach, strengthened partnerships nationwide, and secured major policies that advance health equity,” said Robert Phillips, Chair of Community Catalyst’s Board. “I am deeply proud of the strides that Community Catalyst has made. Community Catalyst’s progress in making race equity a strategic imperative, under Emily’s leadership, is significant. Her commitment has driven meaningful internal and external progress, transforming us into an organization significantly more representative of the communities we advocate for nationally. This transformation has not only improved our operational and financial health but has also served as a powerful example of what is possible when community voice and equity are prioritized. Emily’s departure is bittersweet, and I take comfort in the fact that her work at Community Catalyst has left behind a powerful legacy of progress and impact, which will be carried on by a highly capable leadership team.” 

Since joining Community Catalyst in 2019, after serving as Vice President of Public Policy at Planned Parenthood, Stewart has played a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the organization’s leadership, staff and operating budget, forging new partnerships with organizations and donors, and making meaningful strides in our efforts to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Notably, the organization recently celebrated, alongside Community Catalyst United, our first-ever collective bargaining agreement, which enhanced salary, benefits, and equity commitments for both union and non-union staff.   

“I am so proud to have been a part of the Community Catalyst story and what I have been able to contribute to the organization’s legacy and impact, alongside so many amazing leaders. Together, we forged a new vision and mission, achieved significant milestones, and created the foundation for even bigger impacts in the future,” shared Emily Stewart. “As I transition to new endeavors, I am so excited to see what comes next for Community Catalyst and the energizing movement it is a part of.”   

The Community Catalyst Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Dana Clarke and Dr. Brandon G. Wilson for stepping in to lead Community Catalyst as Interim Co-Presidents and CEOs. Dana and Brandon have been tremendous contributors to establishing and advancing Community Catalyst’s strategic direction thus far – and the Board has full confidence in their ability to guide the organization through this next phase.   

The search firm Russell Reynolds Associates will oversee the recruitment process for the organization’s next President & CEO. As Community Catalyst enters this transition, we are excited by the opportunity to engage new leaders equally invested in the cause for health justice. Central to our recruitment process will be seeking out leaders who are committed to Community Catalyst’s vision and mission, which are both grounded in race equity.  

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Community Catalyst is a national organization dedicated to building the power of people to create a health system rooted in race equity and health justice, and a society where health is a right for all. We’re an experienced, trusted partner to organizations across the country, a change agent to policymakers at the local, state, and national level, and both an adversary and a collaborator to health systems in our efforts to advance health justice. We partner with local, state and national organizations and leaders to leverage and build power so that people are at the center of important decisions about health and health care, whether they are made by health care executives, in state houses, or on Capitol Hill. Together with partners, we’re building a powerful, united movement with a shared vision of and strategy for a health system accountable to all people. Learn more at communitycatalyst.org.