The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation of Little Rock (WRF) has announced the appointment of Cory Anderson as its next CEO.
Anderson has worked at the WRF for more than a decade, most recently as chief innovation officer, where he helped guide the foundation through equity-driven strategy, data-informed investment and systems-level change.
A press release from the foundation stated that Anderson’s leadership has been “instrumental” in shaping the AR Equity framework, strengthening ALICE-focused initiatives and cultivating partnerships that underpin WRF’s long-term mission. ALCIE refers to households that are “Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.”
“Cory Anderson represents the very best of what the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation stands for,” Sherece West-Scantlebury, outgoing CEO said in the release. “He leads with moral clarity, strategic discipline, and a deep respect for the people and communities of Arkansas. Cory has been instrumental in shaping the work that defines this institution today, and he is exceptionally prepared to steward its future. I leave this role confident in the Foundation’s direction and in Cory’s leadership.”
The release stated that as CEO, Anderson will guide the foundation with the same values that have shaped his career:
- A belief in Arkansas communities
- A commitment to dismantling systemic barriers that constrain economic mobility
- A dedication to investing in leaders who carry hope, possibility and vision forward
- A conviction that the work of equity requires both courage and collaboration
“This institution has shaped my life’s work, and I remain committed to advancing its mission with humility, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the people of Arkansas,” Anderson said in the release. “I have seen firsthand the brilliance and resilience of ALICE families across our state — families who deserve systems designed for their success. As we move forward, I look forward to strengthening partnerships, elevating community leadership and continuing the work of creating pathways to opportunity for every Arkansan.”
Cedric Williams, the foundation’s board chair, said in the release that Anderson has a “fierce commitment” to ALICE families and a “strategic clarity” for what comes next.
“Cory has long been a driving force behind the Foundation’s impact,” Williams said. “As CEO, he will carry forward our mission with humility, conviction, and an unwavering belief in what is possible when we invest in people and communities.”
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