Renée Branch

Renée Byng Branch is the former vice president of institutional partnerships and research for the Council on Foundations. In this role, she has strategic responsibility for building partnerships and collaborative arrangements that advance the Council’s mission and common good.

Branch works closely with the CEO and is a member of the Council’s Executive Team. She is the founding director of Career Pathways, a year-long leadership preparation program for mid-career professional and leads the efforts of the research and evaluation team. The Council conducts research and is a thought leader in the areas of talent, investment management, and the management and governance practices of the philanthropic sector and other topics of current and future relevance to the sector.

With over 20 years of senior-level experience in organizational leadership, philanthropy volunteer and community engagement, and institutional advancement, Branch held an appointment as diversity faculty fellow and adjunct professor of public administration at Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV). Prior to joining WSUV, she was chief officer for development for the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington in Vancouver, Washington. She has also held leadership positions with the Urban League of Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University, and Peirce College in Philadelphia, PA, where she was vice president of Institutional Advancement leading its government relations, communications marketing, alumni affairs and development efforts. Her professional career began in commercial banking in Philadelphia, PA.

In addition to an active professional career, Branch is currently a member of the Peirce College Board of Trustees serving on the audit risk and compliance committee as well as the compensation committee. Engaged in her local community, she was appointed to serve on the City of Alexandria, VA’s Sister Cities Committee—a global partnership with two European cities. She also remains committed to volunteering with her church, St. John’s Church Lafayette Square, where she is a member of the flower guild and where she also serves as a crucifer. 

Branch has extensive experience in program development and design, diversity and inclusive practices, board and leadership development. She earned a Master of Science degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

Well versed in philanthropy and a lifelong learner, she’s always interested in learning about new trends in philanthropy, interesting research studies, articles and publications.