Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am writing to share that Ronnie L. Bloom, our Executive Director, will be stepping down in June 2026 following twelve years of exceptional service to the Foundation.
Throughout her tenure at Stoneleigh, Ronnie has been instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission, bolstering its organizational infrastructure, and strengthening its impact in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Under her leadership, the Foundation more than doubled its staff, unveiled a new brand and website, hosted more than 30 public-facing events and civic dialogues, launched a Youth Partnership Program, and awarded 75 Fellowships to researchers, practitioners, policymakers, organizers, and communicators who are driving real, transformative change in Philadelphia and across the country.
During this period, the Foundation’s Fellows and youth partner grantees created national-model programs in police-led school diversion, hospital-based violence intervention, participatory defense, and youth leadership. They leveraged data and research to enhance violence prevention, strengthen housing policy decision-making, shift narratives, and reform and reduce probation sentences. They supported young people who are navigating the complexities of adolescence while dealing with homelessness, mental health challenges, educational barriers, and access to quality care. And this, of course, is just a small sampling of all they have been able to achieve.
The Board extends its sincere appreciation to Ronnie for a career dedicated to public service and marked by a commitment to children, youth, and families. Her steady leadership has brought Stoneleigh’s work to new heights and has increased the Foundation’s profile locally and nationally. Ronnie’s extensive experience, her ability to build strong and trusted relationships, and her warmth and generosity will be deeply missed.
The Board has begun planning for a thoughtful transition to ensure continuity and continued success for Stoneleigh. We are confident in the organization’s strong foundation, and we look forward to this next chapter in its history. The search for a new Executive Director will be led by Criterion Search Group, and interested candidates should reach out to Beth Hare, President and Founder of Criterion, to learn more.
Please join me in congratulating Ronnie and thanking her for her extraordinary service to the Stoneleigh Foundation, and to our region.
With gratitude,
Katherine H. Christiano
Chair, Board of Directors