Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has named Markle Foundation CEO and President Zoë Baird as Senior Counselor to the Secretary for Technology and Economic Growth.
Read the Department of Commerce announcement here.
After over twenty years leading the Markle Foundation, Baird will step away from her position as CEO and President to take on this new role.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished together at Markle and I thank everyone who has collaborated on our work. We have always pursued large-scale and at times novel goals in partnerships across sectors and with people with a broad range of views. I am deeply thankful to our incredibly dedicated and impactful partners and feel fortunate to have worked with and learned from our exceptionally talented team at the Markle Foundation over the years,” said Baird.
Markle’s work aims to improve the economic security, national security, and health of all Americans. And under Baird’s leadership, Markle’s initiatives have had a significant impact on these important issues.
After 9/11, through Markle’s National Security Task Force, Markle helped the national security and law enforcement communities make a major shift in their operations to use information-sharing to protect against threats, while also protecting traditional civil liberties. Beginning in 2001, Markle worked to put the patient at the center of secure health information exchange with Connecting for Health. Markle helped open technology standard-setting bodies like ICANN to the participation of non-profits and developing countries. And in the late 1990’s, Markle created the first scaled use of the Internet for election information with WebWhiteandBlue, and helped bring Internet access to developing countries with the G-8 Digital Opportunity Task Force.
Today, Markle’s priority is advancing solutions toward a labor market that will enable workers to move into good, well-paying jobs in the new economy. It is also spearheading an initiative to create policies and identify business models that enable emerging technologies to become engines to broaden economic participation.
Under Baird’s leadership, Markle formed the Rework America Alliance, a nationwide partnership of civil rights groups, nonprofits, private sector employers, labor unions, educators, and others, working to get people who have not completed college into better-paying jobs with opportunities for career growth. Baird also led the creation of the nonpartisan Rework America State Network, comprised of 30 governors and the mayor of the District of Columbia, which aims to modernize the labor market at a scale and pace not possible through individual state actions.
“Those of us who have had the privilege of working with her know that Zoë is a transformational leader who will take her vast experience and knowledge to this important work at Commerce. On behalf of the Markle Board, we thank Zoë for her tireless service in the public interest and celebrate all that she has achieved at Markle. Her legacy will be felt for years to come,” said Suzanne Nora Johnson, Board Chair, Markle Foundation.
Markle’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Beth Cobert has been named Acting President and Sue Roberson, Markle’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), now has the additional responsibility of Acting Managing Director of the Markle Foundation.
“The Board and I know that the Markle Foundation and the Rework America Alliance are in capable hands. We look forward to working with Beth and Sue and supporting the impactful work of Markle and the Rework America Alliance,” said Nora Johnson.
Cobert has a proven track record of leadership from her work as COO of Markle and in previous roles as Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, and Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company.
In addition to her four years as CFO at Markle, Roberson brings over 15 years of experience in financial and operational leadership roles, including as a Senior Vice President of Time Inc. and CFO of the Blue School.
Cobert and Roberson assume their new positions in October 2022.
Markle Media Contact
For more information about the Markle Foundation, please email:
communications@markle.org
Markle Foundation Biographies
Zoë Baird’s biography, click here.
Beth Cobert’s biography, click here.
Sue Roberson’s biography, click here.
About the Markle Foundation
The Markle Foundation’s work aims to improve the economic security, national security, and health of all Americans. Today, Markle’s priority is advancing solutions toward a labor market that will enable workers to move into good, well-paying jobs in the new economy. It is also spearheading an initiative to create policies and identify business models that enable developing technologies to become engines to broaden economic participation.
Markle formed the Rework America Alliance, a nationwide partnership of civil rights groups, nonprofits, private sector employers, labor unions, educators, and others, working to get people without a college degree into better-paying jobs with opportunities for career growth. Markle also established a nonpartisan Rework America State Network, comprised of 30 governors and the mayor of the District of Columbia, to modernize the labor market at a scale and pace not possible through individual state actions.
For more information, visit markle.org, follow @MarkleFdn and @ReworkAmerica on Twitter, and read, America’s Moment.
