Last month Friends Fiduciary named a new Executive Director: Ethan Birchard. PYM, as well as many meetings, Friends schools, retirement communities, and other Quaker organizations trusts Fiduciary to invest funds and advocate for change in a way that is in alignment with Quaker testimonies. The announcement letter from Bennett Lomax (Doylestown Meeting), board chair for Fiduciary, shares some information about Ethan and welcomes him to the role.
Friends,
On behalf of our board of directors, I am delighted to announce that Ethan Birchard will become Friends Fiduciary’s new Executive Director effective April 16, 2024.
Ethan’s selection is the culmination of a nationwide search that produced exceptionally well-qualified candidates. His deep experience in and knowledge of the financial industry, business development and marketing, as well as his strong leadership and management skills, will be of tremendous value in ensuring Friends Fiduciary’s continued success. Ethan’s career includes growing a robust sustainability practice, modernizing marketing and operations for a 40-year-old investment firm, driving top- and bottom-line growth for a global professional association through strategic product development and digital marketing, and leading collaborative, cross-functional teams. He holds degrees from Amherst College (B.A. with honors in Computer Science and English) and an MFA from The New School in New York.
Ethan grew up in a Quaker family and was an associate member of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for twenty years, also attending Westfield Friends School, Friends Select School, and Catoctin Quaker Camp, where he worked as a counselor and later as assistant director. He currently serves on multiple non-profit boards, including The Energy Co-op of Pennsylvania, where he is board president, and Friends of the Wissahickon, where he is the board vice-president. Ethan has also volunteered extensively at Monteverde Friends School and Meeting, in Costa Rica.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to grow the impact of Quaker values through investment and finance,” Ethan said. “Jeff Perkins and Friends Fiduciary staff have worked tirelessly to expand the organization. Building on those accomplishments, I believe Friends Fiduciary can be a global model for leaning into social and environmental values to drive long-term investment performance.
“We have an essential role to play in the transition to a more just economy. I am privileged to be able to join Friends Fiduciary’s staff, constituents and board in this effort,” Ethan said.
Jeff Perkins has served as Friends Fiduciary’s Executive Director for the past twelve years, during a period of expansion in investment offerings, active shareholder engagement, and significant increase in assets under management.
The board is proud of our record of consistently superior investment performance, faithfulness to Quaker testimonies and values, and excellent customer service. We look forward to building and expanding on that record under Ethan’s leadership.
Sincerely,
Bennett Lomax
Chair of Friends Fiduciary Board of Directors
