Kathleen P. Enright is the new president and chief executive officer of the Council on Foundations in Arlington, Va. Enright will join the Council on Foundations after 17 years as president and chief executive officer of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO).

During her tenure, she guided GEO to a programmatically strong and financially healthy position.

“Now is the right time to take stock of philanthropic and public policy trends, to look carefully at the role the Council on Foundations has played — and, most important, how we can strengthen that role moving forward,” said Javier Soto, Council on Foundations Board Chair and President & CEO of The Miami Foundation. “Under our visionary new leadership, we can think expansively and creatively to make sure the Council is prepared to play an even more vital, essential and positive role in the years to come.” The choice of Enright was the result of a search that included input from Council on Foundations members and the broader field of philanthropy.

Under Enright’s leadership, the Council on Foundations will sharpen its focus on shaping the public view of philanthropy as positive agents in advancing the public good, providing important public policy and advocacy and engaging in national programs that add unique value in the current landscape, according to the announcement of Enright’s appointment.

Ultimately, the Council will prioritize giving its members more of the support they need to strengthen the mission of philanthropy to ensure a vibrant democratic society and create a more equitable world, according to the announcement.

“The Council must be a convener that builds trust and helps foundations have productive conversations about issues that defy easy answers, because that’s how philanthropy will continue to make progress,” said Enright, who will take the helm on March 5. “I will lead the Council collaboratively and with humility so that we are better positioned to both advance our mission and support our members as they work tirelessly to accomplish theirs.”

The Council of Foundations’ Interim President and CEO, Gene Cochrane, will continue to lead the organization through February. Vikki Spruill left the position this past June to head the New England Aquarium.