Led by Black women with deep journalism expertise

When people want to understand The Pivot Fund, they often start with our people — and for good reason. Our leadership embodies the expertise and cultural competence that make The Pivot Fund a trusted bridge between philanthropy and community-rooted local news.

At the center are Tracie Powell, Susan Smith-Richardson, and Jean Marie Brown — three Black women with deep experience in journalism, management, and research. CEO Tracie Powell came up on the business side of journalism and earned a law degree from Georgetown University. Managing Director Susan Smith-Richardson led The Center for Public Integrity and Guardian US, bringing decades of newsroom and organizational leadership. Research Director Jean Marie Brown, a journalism professor at Texas Christian University, draws on more than 25 years in newsrooms with Knight-Ridder and McClatchy. Together, they anchor The Pivot Fund’s vision and strategy across two core pillars: Grantmaking + Support and Research + Consulting.

Carrying that mission forward are Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who works directly with grantees as portfolio manager, and Eric Ortiz, who helps Brown lead the organization’s growing research and consulting practice. Their combined experience ensures The Pivot Fund’s work stays grounded in both data and community — translating insight into impact for the grassroots news outlets serving our most underrepresented communities.

Together with our administrative staff, this team gives The Pivot Fund the depth, credibility, and cultural fluency to strengthen the entire local news ecosystem — from the funders shaping strategy to the journalists doing the work on the ground. Visit our new website to learn more.