Open Society Announces Latest Recipients of Flexible Support for Nonprofit Leadership Transitions

NEW YORK—The Open Society Foundations are pleased to announce the newly selected grantees of the New Executives Fund, which provides support to executive directors and chief executive officers who show promise as leaders in fields that are central to Open Society’s mission. New Executives Fund recipients receive grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 in discretionary support to assist in the implementation of their visions for their organizations.

New Executives Fund Recipients

Sopheap Chak, Cambodian Center for Human Rights

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a research, advocacy, and policy organization focused on civil and political rights in Cambodia. The organization employs key strategies like online activism, youth engagement, and strategic litigation to achieve its aims. Sopheap Chak was appointed executive director after spending seven years with CCHR in various roles, most recently as the program director. She previously ran the Cambodian Youth Network for Change and is currently a contributing author to Global Voices Online, UPDI Asia Online, and Future Challenges. Sopheap represents one of the only young women leading a national civil society organization in Cambodia.

Andrew Ko, Partnership for Safety and Justice

Partnership for Safety and Justice (PSJ) is a multifaceted, statewide advocacy organization based in Portland, Oregon. It aims to build the capacity and skills of crime survivors, people with criminal records, and their family members to advocate for a system that is just and that more effectively builds safer, healthier communities. Prior to joining PSJ, Andrew Ko served for three years as a campaign manager for the Open Society Campaign for a New Drug Policy. He was also formerly the director of the Drug Policy Reform Project of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and state strategies counsel for the Drug Law Reform Project of the national ACLU. 

Ivan Marques, Instituto Sou da Paz

Instituto Sou da Paz is an organization committed to reducing violence and improving public safety in Brazil through technical assistance to government agencies, research and monitoring, advocacy, and facilitation of stakeholder dialogues. Ivan Marques brings to the organization a diverse range of experience from the government, private sector, and human rights field. During President Lula’s administration, Ivan served as chief of staff in the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and later headed the work on human rights defenders in the Human Rights Secretariat. He also worked at the American Chamber of Commerce and the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, a large steel-making company.

Joanna Maycock, European Women’s Lobby

The European Women’s Lobby is the largest umbrella organization of women’s associations in the European Union, working to promote women’s rights and gender equality. Joanna Maycock has 20 years of professional experience in senior leadership and governance positions in the European and international development NGO sector. For the past 12 years, she has worked for ActionAid, a global Federation working on poverty and injustice. She is a long-time board member and former president of CONCORD, the European Confederation of Development NGOs. 

Heather McGhee, DEMOS

DEMOS is a New York City–based non-partisan public policy, research, and advocacy organization that works with advocates and policymakers around the country on issues of voting, civic engagement, the role of government, and economic inequality. Heather McGhee was formerly the vice-president of policy and outreach at DEMOS, where she developed an influential voice in the media and become a frequent writer, speaker, and commentator on issues of democracy reform, economic opportunity, racial equity, and financial regulation. 

Saw Myo Min Thu, Thabyay Education Foundation

Thabyay Education Foundation was founded in 1996 to educate, connect, and empower individuals and organizations committed to advancing human rights and reinforcing democratic practice in Burma. Through the provision of integrated higher education services, Thabyay equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively for social justice, human development, and reconciliation in Burma. Saw Myo Min Thu has more than 12 years of experience in the U.S. higher education system, most recently serving as the director of admissions and records at California State University, Bakersfield.

Suman Raghunathan, South Asian Americans Leading Together

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) was established with the mission to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States. Suman Raghunathan is a seasoned immigrant rights advocate with extensive community organizing experience as demonstrated through her work at the Chhaya Community Development Corporation, American Civil Liberties Union, Progressive States Network, and the New York Immigration Coalition.

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The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities in more than 100 countries, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education.