The Heinz Endowments, Member, Board of Directors

The Heinz Endowments has appointed Patrick Gallagher, PhD to its 13-member Board of Directors.  Based in Pittsburgh, the Endowments is among the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States. It is dedicated to advancing a vision of southwestern Pennsylvania as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Gallagher is the former Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh and is currently a professor in the university’s department of physics and astronomy.

Under his leadership as Chancellor, Pitt released and later updated its first strategic plan, advanced a master plan for new construction and campus expansion, and established an Office of Sustainability to centralize campus-wide sustainability activities, strategies and partnerships. Gallagher launched a program in which the university matched federal Pell grants, helping to make Pitt accessible to more students. Pitt also established an Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion during his tenure to increase diversity among staff and student populations.

Before holding Pitt’s top post, Gallagher served for 21 years in various roles at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, including as NIST Director and Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology between 2009 and 2014. 

The full announcement of this appointment may be found here.  

Karen Wilcox led this search with Brinkley Serkedakis.