Edmond Ghisu, Associate General Counsel and Chief Investment Counsel, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
For board service to Rock to the Future

Ed Ghisu was in the 2003 Business On Board class, and initially served on the Branch Advisory Board for Settlement Music School’s West Philadelphia and Kardon/Northeast Branches. At the time he worked for Ballard Spahr. In 2016, Ed contacted ABC seeking a new board placement, with a preference for another music education nonprofit, and was matched with Rock to the Future (RTTF). He joined the RTTF board last spring, and quickly stepped into a leadership role, bringing fresh energy and new expectations, and drawing on his prior board experience. Ed chaired the strategic planning committee, working closely with staff and board leaders. He also initiated the formalization of numerous board activities, including committee charters, a review of the board handbook, the staff handbook, board meeting minutes and yearly resolutions. He helped to secure pro bono legal guidance on key issues. In January 2017, Ed agreed to chair the board’s nominating and governance committee, aiming to strengthen the on-boarding process. Ed has identified helpful webinars for staff development, and covered the cost of these webinars. He has been a generous supporter of RTTF, and has secured matching funds from his employer. In just one year, he already has had an extraordinary impact on the RTTF board and staff, and by extension, on the young people served by the organization.

May 23, 2017 marks the 32nd annual Arts + Business Council Awards Celebration, a major moment for milestones. Together with you, our “Partners in Imagination,” we’ll be honoring the exceptional leaders, innovators, partnerships and volunteers below, who work to make our region culturally vibrant and economically strong. To purchase ticket packages and individual tickets, please click here.