The TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation board of directors today announced the appointment of Susan Rifkin as executive director. Rifkin will be responsible for all day-to-day activities and programs related to the TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation, the philanthropic arms of TAWANI Enterprises, Inc.
TAWANI Foundation provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBT and human rights, education and environmental initiatives. The Pritzker Military Foundation supports organizations that preserve military history and provides essential resource to active military, veterans and families of service members in all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Both organizations were founded by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired). Pritzker currently serves as president of both foundations.
Rifkin joins TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation from the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations, where she served as executive director. At the Foundations, Rifkin played a key role in advancing the organization’s strategic plan and direction. In addition, she was charged with handling the Foundations’ daily operational activities, including restructuring and streamlining grant making processes, supervising program managers, and fiscal reporting, among other activities. She takes pride in the strong relationships forged with grantees across the U.S. and abroad.
“Rifkin is a person of great strength and passion and is held in high respect throughout the nonprofit world, said Col. Pritzker. “We enthusiastically look forward to her leadership, excellent strategic skills and a personal passion for the work. She will be a wonderful collaborator and leader as we continue to advance the mission of both the TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation.”
Prior to the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations, Rifkin had an extensive career at Fortune 500 companies in insurance, finance and logistics. She gravitated toward leadership positions at nonprofits including Hadassah Chicago and The ARK.
In her spare time, Rifkin volunteers as a crisis counselor and advocates for social welfare organizations. She is also an ardent volunteer and supporter of causes that are highly stigmatized such as addiction and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. Rifkin holds a B.S. in Mathematics from DePaul University.
“I have devoted the last 15 years to championing initiatives that help others,” said Rifkin. “I am honored and humbled to help further the mission of the TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Museum. Both Foundations have an incredible connection to the community and are uniquely poised to address the deepest needs, ideals and opportunities of the people it serves. I look forward to building relationships, so more people will invest and know about these worthwhile organizations.”
For more information about the TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation, please visit https://tawanifoundation.org.
About TAWANI Foundation
Founded in 2002, TAWANI Enterprises’ philanthropic organization, the TAWANI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBT and human rights, education and environmental initiatives. The TAWANI Foundation has given more than $102 million through 2017 to provide support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBT and human rights, education and environmental initiatives, and has pledged another $30 million through 2026. To learn more, visit https://tawanifoundation.org.
About Pritzker Military Foundation
The Pritzker Military Foundation is a 501(c)(3) grant making organization furthering the mission and vision of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The foundation supports organizations that preserve military history and provide essential resource to active military, veterans and families of service members in all branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Pritzker Military Foundation has given more than $4.2 million since its inception in 2017 and has pledged another $7 million in commitments through 2021. To learn more, visit https://www.pritzkermilitaryfoundation.org/.