By the Arkansas Black Vitality Staff

LITTLE ROCK – Dec. 20, 2025 – Nearly six months after longtime CEO Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury announced her departure after 18 years, one of the state’s leading nonprofit philanthropic organizations, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF), announced on Thursday (Dec. 18) that insider Cory S. Anderson will assume the prominent role.

Anderson, a local Baptist minister, strategist, and advocate for Arkansas’s families and communities, steps into the role with over a decade of experience at WRF, most recently serving as Chief Innovation Officer.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation,” said Anderson. “This institution has shaped my life’s work, and I remain committed to advancing its mission with humility, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the people of Arkansas. I have seen firsthand the brilliance and resilience of ALICE families across our state—families who deserve systems designed for their success.

“As we move forward, I look forward to strengthening partnerships, elevating community leadership, and continuing the work of creating pathways to opportunity for every Arkansan,” said Anderson.

According to WRF, Anderson’s leadership has been pivotal in guiding the Foundation’s evolution into a nationally recognized model for equity-driven strategy and data-informed investment. He played a key role in developing the Foundation’s AR Equity framework, strengthening initiatives focused on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families, and building partnerships that support WRF’s long-term mission.

With a background in journalism and ministry, Anderson’s career has focused on advancing equity, opportunity, and systems-level change. He is recognized nationally for his work in philanthropy and his commitment to bridging community insight with institutional strategy.

Described by WRF as a “listener and a builder” and “a steady hand and a catalytic force,” Anderson is known for his integrity, imagination, and commitment to transformative leadership. His appointment signals both continuity and renewal for the Foundation, following the impactful tenure of outgoing CEO Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury.

“Cory Anderson represents the very best of what the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation stands for,” said Dr. West-Scantlebury. “He leads with moral clarity, strategic discipline, and a deep respect for the people and communities of Arkansas. I leave this role confident in the Foundation’s direction and in Cory’s leadership.”

West-Scantlebury originally announced in late June that she would step down from her post as president and CEO of the WRF in late October, concluding a distinguished 33-year career in philanthropy.

Since 2007, Dr. West-Scantlebury has led WRF through a period of significant influence, co-founding initiatives such as Excel by 8, ForwARd Arkansas, Why AR?, and ALICE in AR, while enhancing opportunities for Arkansas families and communities to succeed. Her leadership has established WRF as a trusted statewide partner and a respected voice in the philanthropy sector, officials said.

WRF Board Split

While Anderson steps into his new role, it does not come without some controversy. In early December, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Cara Connors confirmed, in a closely watched ruling, that a majority of the WRF Board may proceed with its leadership transition and governance activities without interruption.

Despite a lawsuit brought by a faction of WRF board members, the court ruling noted that the Foundation’s governance actions are lawful and aligned with its fiduciary and mission-driven responsibilities. The hearing produced no evidence of wrongdoing, no threat to the Foundation’s nonprofit status, and no justification for judicial intervention.

Furthermore, the Pulaski County court found no legal grounds to halt the board’s actions, paving the way for the appointment of two new board members and a way forward to select the organization’s next CEO through a nationwide search.

The ongoing suit claims that the Scantlebury-West-led search violated the foundation’s bylaws and written plan to find a successor. The splinter group—which includes WRF director and board member Lisenne Rockefeller, Board Secretary Naccaman Williams, director of special projects for the Walton Family Foundation, and board member Kathy Smith—sought an injunction to prevent a replacement for West-Scantlebury from being named. As of today (Dec. 19), Connor has not yet ruled on that request.

Earlier this month, other WRF Board members, including West-Scantlebury and Board Chair Cedric  Williams, called Connor’s decision a decisive ruling that underscored the strength, integrity, and forward momentum of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF),

“Foundations exist not merely to observe change, but to architect it,” said Williams. “The work of this board continues uninterrupted, and our focus remains exactly where it has always been—on expanding opportunity and honoring the Rockefeller legacy of bold, effective philanthropy. Our commitment to ALICE households isn’t an initiative—it is an imperative, ensuring that Arkansas families who are ALICE are not merely surviving the economy, but shaping it.”

Nonprofit DEI or DIE

The appointment of Anderson to WRF’s top executive post, and the Foundation’s board reiterating the Foundation’s commitment to focusing on equity and diversity, comes amid an overall shift in the public and private sectors

Since President Trump took office in January 2025, his administration has taken significant steps to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across all federal agencies and government-related activities, allegedly moving toward merit-based policies.

At the same time, many of the nation’s top corporations have faced intense legal pressure and scrutiny from the Trump administration to similarly scale back or end any so-called DEI programs, ranging from minority hiring and supplier diversity to corporate giving and community outreach.

The Trump administration’s DEI purge has also introduced significant changes and challenges to the compliance and operational environments of many tax-exempt organizations. As a result, these organizations must now monitor and adapt to regulatory and federal funding shifts that could significantly impact their work and prospects.

For instance, earlier this year, the Department of Justice issued a warning that nonprofit employers may be at risk of losing federal funding – including grant funding – if their DEI or similar programs violate anti-discrimination laws.

Similarly, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has turned Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on its head, which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race and sex.

Long a refuge for Black and other minorities seeking protection from workplace discrimination based on race, sex, or gender, EEOC Chief Andrea Lucas this week urged white men to file claims with the federal agency if they experienced DEI-related discrimination in the workplace based on race or sex.