Pew Announces Makeba Clay as Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

The Pew Charitable Trusts is pleased to announce the appointment of Makeba Clay to the newly created role of vice president of inclusion, diversity, and equity (IDE), effective Oct. 18, 2021. Clay will lead the IDE efforts of both the Trusts and its subsidiary, the Pew Research Center.

A recognized innovator in organizational change, Clay will focus on helping to propagate IDE’s values, practices, and benefits throughout Pew’s mission, vision, programs, and policies.

Clay joins Pew from The Phillips Collection, where she served as the inaugural chief diversity officer, the first person to hold that role at an American art museum. While at the Phillips, she was instrumental in shaping and advancing a comprehensive IDE strategy across its staff, board, partnerships, programs, and policies. She also brings more than 20 years of experience working with higher education and nonprofit groups, including Princeton University, the University of Maryland, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and the College of Southern Maryland. At Pew, Clay will report to Susan K. Urahn, president and chief executive officer.

“I’m delighted to welcome Makeba to Pew, where her record of compassionate leadership and organizational change around IDE will help us build a more inclusive culture in which staff from all backgrounds thrive and the organization’s efforts are strengthened by diverse perspectives,” said Urahn. “Makeba’s appointment to this newly created role for Pew underscores our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity as a strategic priority that will strengthen our collective efforts to make a difference in the world through data-driven policy and strategic investments in our communities.”

“I welcome this opportunity to join Pew and further infuse the organization and our stakeholders with the critical values of inclusion, diversity, and equity,” said Clay. “To address the complex problems to which Pew is dedicated, we need to better equip ourselves by looking both internally and externally to achieve greater impact in the world. I look forward to supporting Pew’s talented workforce and delivering on the stated commitment to be a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization for all.”

More information about Pew’s work on inclusion, diversity, and equity.