New Orleans, LA (June 24, 2016)—The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) announced today that Andrew D. Kopplin will assume the position of president & CEO. Kopplin currently serves as first deputy mayor and chief administrative officer for Mayor Mitch Landrieu at the City of New Orleans. He succeeds Albert Ruesga who has served as president & CEO since 2009.
“Andy will be an asset to the Foundation with his incredible track record of success as a thought leader and strategic thinker,” said Cheryl Teamer, chair of the board of trustees for the Greater New Orleans Foundation and chair of the search committee. “He is a natural connector of people and ideas which is ideal for the role of president of a community foundation.”
Kopplin joins the Foundation at an exciting time in its 33-year history. Currently under construction on Lee Circle is its Center for Philanthropy scheduled to open later this year. “I look forward to this incredible opportunity to build on the Foundation’s past successes and to assert its leadership in the future,” says Kopplin. “Simply put, we intend to position the Foundation and our new building as the physical and symbolic home for strategic philanthropy in the Greater New Orleans region.”
During his six years at the City of New Orleans, Kopplin was responsible for developing and overseeing the city’s operating and capital budgets as well as managing its daily operations. Prior to his role in city government, Kopplin worked as executive vice president for Growth Strategy and Development for Teach for America, as well as senior advisor to the founder and CEO of the organization. He also served for three years as executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority and chief of staff for governors Blanco and Foster. He holds a B.A. in history from Rice University and a masters of public policy from Harvard Kennedy School.