President & Chief Executive Officer

BrightFocus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization internationally renowned for funding scientific research to defeat Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, seeks a collaborative, forward-looking, and strategic leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Guided by the idea of a world where all people can age free from diseases of mind and sight along with a mission to fund exceptional scientific research while advancing public understanding, BrightFocus is entering a period of exciting growth and opportunity.

With more than 50 years dedicated to scientific research, BrightFocus has awarded more than $300 million in funding across nearly 2,100 projects worldwide and currently supports nearly 200 active research awards in 16 countries. The Foundation’s work has attracted global scientific leadership, including Nobel laureates among its awardees and board members, and continues to play a catalytic role in advancing early-stage, high-impact research.

Headquartered in Clarksburg, Maryland, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, BrightFocus operates through three flagship global programs—Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research. The Foundation is supported by a staff of approximately 50 professionals and operates with a collaborative, mission-driven culture. With annual revenues of approximately $70 million, BrightFocus enjoys a strong financial position supported entirely by private contributions with a national base of more than 600,000 donors. An extraordinary strategic asset for BrightFocus are the Scientific Review Committees (SRCs), a network of approximately 100 leading scientists and clinicians from around the world who volunteer their expertise in support of the organization's mission. Through the evaluation of hundreds of research proposals each year, the SRCs provide the rigorous scientific review that guides BrightFocus' research investments and ensures exceptional stewardship of donor resources.

BrightFocus is distinguished not only by the impact of its research funding, but also by its deeply donor-centric approach to fundraising and engagement. The Foundation has developed a high-touch, “white-glove” model of stewardship that combines large-scale direct response fundraising with personalized engagement. This fundraising strategy reflects a blended approach, with direct mail serving as a longstanding core channel alongside a growing suite of digital and online pathways, including email, social media, and emerging platforms, which enable the organization to meet donors where they are while maintaining a strong emphasis on responsiveness and individual connection.

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with senior leadership, the next President and CEO will work to advance the Foundation’s mission, steward its resources, and guide its strategic direction. They will have the opportunity to build on a strong foundation, ensuring continued financial sustainability, expanding the organization’s reach and influence, and advancing its strategic priorities to diversify funding and audiences, deepen partnerships, and accelerate pathways to research breakthroughs.

BrightFocus Foundation has retained the national executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller, to assist in this important recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed below.

Karen Avery and Dan Rodas are leading this search with Amble Ryan, Steph Simon, and Caroline Corry.

BrightFocus is committed to the full utilization of all human resources and to a policy of equal opportunity. In accordance with applicable laws, it is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to any legally-protected characteristic including, but not limited to, race, age, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.