INDIANAPOLIS, IN (December 5, 2024) – Ruthie Purcell-Jones, the first Arthur Dean Family Foundation Executive Director, announces her retirement effective December 31, 2024. Dr. River Sturdivant will step into the role of Executive Director for the foundation starting January 1, 2025.
Since 2018, Purcell-Jones has been instrumental in fostering the foundation’s unique, relationship-centered approach to philanthropy and partnership, awarding more than $18 million in funding to youth-serving organizations in Marion, Hamilton, and Whitley counties. Throughout her successful career, she has been a developer of organizations, teams, boards, and people, working as a nonprofit leadership and organizational consultant, an executive coach, a community connector, and a facilitator. Prior to leading Arthur Dean, Ruthie served as Director of Philanthropic Services for the Central Indiana Community Foundation. She served as Interim Executive Director for Lacy Leadership Association, leading its transition to Leadership Indianapolis. She was the Executive Director of Leadership Ventures and Co-Director of the first Victim Assistance program in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Her over 40-year career has almost exclusively been in support of the nonprofit and civic sector. Upon Purcell-Jones’ retirement, she will leave the organization in the capable hands of current Director of Learning and Impact, Dr. River Sturdivant.
“Since the Foundation’s inception, Ruthie’s leadership has been central to shaping our values and relationship-centered approach to grantmaking and youth empowerment. Her clear vision and commitment have greatly expanded our impact in the communities we serve. As we build on Ruthie’s legacy, we are excited to welcome Dr. River Sturdivant, a trusted and knowledgeable leader within our organization, as our new Executive Director,” said Fred McClure, Board Chair, Arthur Dean Family Foundation.
New Leadership at Arthur Dean Family Foundation
Dr. River Sturdivant will start her tenure as Executive Director of the Foundation on January 1, 2025.
“I am honored to continue ADFF’s work in ways that expand the foundation’s legacy of centering a more equitable and relationship-based practice of philanthropy. By working closely with our grantee partners, my goal is to lead with curiosity, connection, and courage as our team continues to explore innovative ways to co-create authentic relationships, maximize mutual learning and improvement, and provide multi-faceted investments in support of the lifelong success of all young people,” said Sturdivant.
Dr. River Sturdivant brings 25 years of professional experience across more than 30 countries in nonprofit, philanthropy, education, and corporate settings to the Arthur Dean Family Foundation. Prior to joining the ADFF team as the Director of Learning and Impact in 2022, Dr. Sturdivant served as the Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Evaluation at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Director of Community Initiatives at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and provided independent consulting, leadership development and capacity building support for local and national organizations. She has also served as associate faculty in the School of Education at Indiana University Indianapolis and led global education programs at Butler University and The George Washington University.
Dr. Sturdivant completed her doctorate in Adult Learning and Development at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA where she focused on the persistence and support systems needed for degree completion. In addition to completing Indiana University Indianapolis’s Non-Profit Management certification program, her trainings as an Emotional Intelligence Assessor and Coach, Emergent Learning Practitioner, and Registered Yoga Teacher, allow her to bring a holistic leadership approach to the Arthur Dean Family Foundation.
Contact:
Ruthie Purcell-Jones, ruthie@arthurdeanfoundation.org
Click here to download the press release.
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About Arthur Dean Family Foundation Arthur Dean Family Foundation was founded in 2016 with the intent to support, center and uplift the organizations, leaders and grantee partners making a difference for youth and families in Hamilton, Marion & Whitley Counties. We believe all youth should have access to opportunities, experiences, and relationships that allow them to discover who they are, develop the abilities needed to shape their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.
