Elizabeth Christopherson Email & Phone Number

Elizabeth Christopherson is President and CEO of the Rita Allen Foundation, which invests in transformative ideas in their earliest stages to leverage their growth and promote breakthrough solutions to significant problems. The Foundation supports early-career biomedical scholars for pioneering discovery research, seeds innovative approaches to science and civic engagement, and invests in the effectiveness of the philanthropic sector. Rooted in a collaborative ethos, Christopherson continues to lead the Foundation through a period of rapid expansion and innovation. With her leadership, the Foundation launched the Civic Science Fellows program in partnership with a coalition of influential science, media, academic, civic, and philanthropic organizations to support early-career leaders in bridging critical gaps between science and society to collectively build an equitable future. Before joining Rita Allen, Christopherson was the first female Executive Director of New Jersey’s public broadcasting network (NJN), leading a team to earn national awards for digital innovation, program excellence, financial support, and strong public–private sector collaborations. Elected by her peers twice to serve on the national PBS board and other media boards, she served as jury member for international media competitions, including co-chair of the Japan Prize, with the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, NHK. Christopherson also has served as a judge and reviewer for large global philanthropic competitions.Christopherson, as chair and member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, led the creation of two arts plans for the state and Council to increase access to arts education and excellence in cultural programs for the people of New Jersey—themes she brought to her role as Vice Chair for the national board, Americans for the Arts.A graduate of Wellesley College, she is the recipient of five honorary degrees and numerous awards for public service including the Women Who Make a Difference Award from the International Women’s Forum. One of ten recipients selected worldwide, she was recognized for her vision, commitment and contributions to inspiring women around the world. A respected advocate for improving how the social sector listens to and learns with communities, she was a founding member of the Fund for Shared Insight and its Listen for Good initiative. Christopherson’s board service in the philanthropic sector includes the Science Philanthropy Alliance, Science Communication Lab, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, and Media Impact Funders.

Listed skills include Strategic Planning, Media, New Media, Non Profit Leadership, and 18 others.