Joanne Florino of Philanthropy Roundtable and Ron Brown of Heidrick & Struggles bring decades of leadership experience to the Martin Center.
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 3, 2026) — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanne Florino, Adam Meyerson Distinguished Fellow in Philanthropic Excellence at Philanthropy Roundtable, and Ron Brown, partner at global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, to its Board of Directors. Together, they bring decades of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit governance, executive leadership, and public policy that will strengthen the Martin Center’s mission to advance higher education reform.
“I’m thrilled that Ron and Joanne are joining our board,” said Martin Center president Jenna A. Robinson. “ They add essential new perspectives as the Martin Center expands its work across the nation.”
Before joining the Roundtable, Florino led both the Triad Foundation and the Park Foundation as executive director and held positions with The Atlantic Philanthropies. Earlier in her career, she taught American history at Cornell University and Ithaca College. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Legal Insurrection Foundation and as a trustee of the Legacy Foundation of Ithaca. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s degree from Cornell University.
Brown is a nationally respected executive search and governance expert whose clients include think tanks, policy organizations, foundations, educational institutions, family offices, and private equity firms. Since joining Heidrick & Struggles in 1996, he has held numerous leadership roles, founded the firm’s Denver office, and served on its Global Partnership Council.
Prior to his executive search career, Brown held several appointed government positions, including serving on the White House staff. His commitment to nonprofit and civic leadership includes service on the boards of the National Association of Corporate Directors’ Colorado Chapter, the University of Colorado Denver College of Business, and the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
The Martin Center’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and oversight for the organization’s work to improve higher education through rigorous research, policy analysis, and public engagement. The appointments of Florino and Brown add years of experience in philanthropy, governance, organizational leadership, and institutional strategy as the Martin Center continues to expand its national impact.
“I am proud of the Martin Center’s strong and active board of directors, and we have strengthened it even further with the addition of these two outstanding individuals,” said Jane Shaw Stroup, chair of the Martin Center’s Board of Directors. “They share our commitment to the Center’s mission and bring a wealth of expertise that will help guide our work in the years ahead.”