Jennifer Price-Letscher Named as New President & CEO of The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
July 12, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Jennifer Price-Letscher as its new President & CEO, effective today. The selection was made unanimously by the Board after a thorough and extensive search assisted by Spencer Stuart consultants Kristine Johnson and David Wick. Price-Letscher has been at the Foundation for over 12 years and has been its Interim President & CEO since January 2023.
“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to lead The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.”
“The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation is dedicated to serving the Los Angeles County community, and we are delighted to officially welcome Jennifer as our leader in continuing that charge,” says Paul G. Haaga Jr, Chair of the Parsons Board of Directors. “Her enduring determination and ubiquitous influence have been invaluable assets to the Foundation, both internally and externally. Jennifer is an exceptionally effective grantmaker, providing significant contributions to our ‘beyond the grant’ initiatives – those that enhance nonprofit excellence. In her role as Interim President & CEO, Jennifer has expertly navigated the Foundation through a time of executive transition, ensuring organizational stability, operational continuity, and brand integrity throughout the process. There was formidable competition for the role and the Board is especially enthusiastic about making her selection.”
Since joining the Foundation in 2011, Price-Letscher has served in various roles, including Vice President of Grants & Initiatives, Director of Programs & Special Projects, Senior Program Officer, and, most recently, Interim President & CEO. She has distinguished herself by strengthening nonprofit leadership education and collaboration to maximize collective effectiveness. Throughout her tenure, she has grown the Foundation’s professional development grantmaking initiatives from serving 20 executives to engaging more than 500 diverse leaders and teams throughout Los Angeles.
“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to lead The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. When I joined the Foundation, I was drawn by Parsons’ responsive grantmaking model, outstanding reputation in the community, and its tremendous potential for doing more,” says Price-Letscher. “As someone who started their career in the nonprofit sector and as a former grantee, I understand first-hand the profound and transformative impact of a Parsons investment. I look forward to continuing to bolster public and private collaboration for the benefit of Los Angeles residents, and honoring Ralph M. Parsons’ vision and values to move the Foundation forward into its next chapter.”
A graduate of the University of Oregon and Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management, Price-Letscher holds a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and English and a master’s degree in Positive Organizational Development and Change Management. Prior to joining Parsons, Price-Letscher spent 10 years at the Sterling Foundation, building programs focused on college access and success. She has also worked with the Whitecap Foundation, the Hillcrest Foundation, the Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, and several arts and culture nonprofits. Price-Letscher’s commitment to bettering the lives of those in Los Angeles County is reflected not only in her work at Parsons, but through her roles in other philanthropic and community initiatives. She is a founding board member for the SEED School of Los Angeles and serves as an advisor or board member for multiple other organizations, including the Los Angeles County Center for Strategic Partnerships, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and Southern California Grantmakers.
“As Chair of the Search Committee, I’m thrilled that the Board decision was both enthusiastic and unanimous in appointing Jennifer as our next President & CEO,” says Parsons Board member Peter J. Taylor. “She has made a significant impact in her time at Parsons, including developing and managing a program team recognized for its top performance among national peers in the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Grantee Perception Report, professionalizing grantmaking practices, and pioneering Board education and programming. We look forward to Jennifer strengthening our relationships with the many stakeholders in Los Angeles County.”
Price-Letscher succeeds former Parsons President & CEO Wendy Garen, who retired at the start of 2023, after over 37 years with the Foundation.
About The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation improves the well-being of Los Angeles County residents through responsive grantmaking to local nonprofit organizations, providing direct services addressing civic and cultural, education, health, and human service needs. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation participates with other funders and civic and governmental agencies in collaborative projects designed to maximize the effectiveness of our grantees and the region’s nonprofit sector. The Foundation is an active member of The Council on Foundations, Sustained Collaboration Network, Southern California Grantmakers, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Foundation Financial Officers Group, and PEAK Grantmaking.
The late Ralph M. Parsons created his namesake foundation in 1961 as the charitable giving arm of the Parsons Corporation. In 1976, the Foundation became fully independent of Parsons Corporation and now shares only Mr. Parsons’ name. The Foundation has assets of approximately $400 million and distributes approximately $20 million annually.