Executive Director of Peace Development Fund To Retire Published on April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024                                                                                                                                          

AMHERST, MA- Paul Haible, PDF’s executive director for the last twenty years, has announced his plans to retire on April 30, 2024.

Under Haible’s leadership, PDF amplified its focus to include a broad range of social justice issues and movements, expanded their footprint to include a regional office in San Francisco, where he was based, and increased its international scope to include funding to Haiti, Mexico, and the Middle East. 

Paul collaborated with the board to launch several special initiatives engaging a range of issue constituencies including: a national environmental justice initiative that spanned a decade, a cross border initiative, and helped launch the now-vibrant national criminal justice reform movement.  He was instrumental in creating PDF’s capacity-building program to fiscally sponsor more than 40 organizations.   Building on his decades of work with the Indigenous community, he led PDF’s recent Indigenous Land Back work. 

“While I may be giving up my seat at this table, I will still be serving elsewhere in the struggle for peace and justice in this world.  Transitions are never easy, but I know that I leave PDF in really good hands,” remarked Haible.

Founded, and still based in Amherst, The Peace Development Fund is a leading donor-supported national social justice funder that has been resourcing grassroots movements for peace and human rights since 1981.  It provides grants, training, donor services, and capacity building resources to organizations around the country and around the world.

“Paul’s dedication and vision have been instrumental in shaping the Peace Development Fund into the impactful philanthropic organization it is today.  He has been a leader in the publicly funded philanthropic movement for many years; he is leaving big shoes to fill,” commented Teresa Juarez, Board President.

The board has appointed Lora Wondolowski, PDF’s Director of Advancement and Communications, as the Interim Executive Director until a permanent executive director is found. Paul and the PDF board of directors are working with staff and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for their grantees, fiscally-sponsored partners, and supporters.  A succession committee drawn from board and staff membership is charged with searching for the new Executive Director. Information on the search can be found at peacedevelopmentfund.org.

###