Commonwealth Foundation Board
Names New President & CEO

Executive Vice President Charles Mitchell to Take Helm on July 1

April 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously named Charles Mitchell the organization’s fifth president and CEO, effective July 1, 2016.

Currently the organization’s executive vice president, Mitchell joined the Commonwealth Foundation in 2010 at the request of outgoing president and CEO Matthew Brouillette. Since then, he has worked hand-in-hand with Brouillette to grow the organization’s revenues from under $1 million to over $4 million, expand its presence through opening a Philadelphia-area office, and enhance its impact on Pennsylvania public policy.

“The Commonwealth Foundation staff is the most hardworking, dedicated, principled, dynamic, tenacious, and—most importantly—high character group of people I have ever encountered, backed by the best board I have ever seen,” Mitchell commented. “Accepting Matt Brouillette’s offer to join them is one of the best choices I’ve ever made, and I look forward to working with them to make Pennsylvania a place in which all people can flourish.”

Mitchell grew up outside of Philadelphia, attended Pennsylvania’s public schools, and graduated from Bucknell University. He was working in Washington, D.C., when Brouillette invited him to return to Pennsylvania six years ago.

“My wife and I left Washington because the fight for America’s future is in the states, and the Keystone State lives up to its name as the pivot point for our nation,” Mitchell continued. “It’s going to be my privilege to lead the Commonwealth Foundation through the battles to come and to the victory I know is ahead.”

Outgoing president and CEO Matthew Brouillette stated:

There is no one I would rather see step into this role than Charles Mitchell. Without a doubt, the Commonwealth Foundation would not have grown as it has these past years without Charles’ leadership, vision, and tireless dedication to making Pennsylvania a better state for everyone. I am confident that the positive changes that have already begun in Pennsylvania will continue, and that under Charles’ leadership, the Commonwealth Foundation will become an even stronger force for public policies that allow every Pennsylvanian to flourish.

Jane Leader Janeczek, a member of the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors and an executive at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, issued the following statement:

Having worked closely with Charles as a Commonwealth Foundation board member, I am delighted that he will be our new president and CEO. I speak for our entire Board of Directors in saying Charles’ focus, determination, and passion for our mission, as well as his leadership in his present role, have already helped drive the exponential growth and effectiveness of our organization. I look forward to continuing to work with Charles and anticipate great things yet to come for Pennsylvania. 

Charles Mitchell is available for comment. Please contact Gina Diorio at 862-703-6670 or gld@commonwealthfoundation.org to schedule an interview.

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The Commonwealth Foundation transforms free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish.