Eskenazi Health Foundation CEO to retire
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The Eskenazi Health Foundation in Indianapolis on Wednesday announced a succession plan for the retirement of its president and CEO. Ernie Vargo plans to step down in January 2026 after what will be 16 years in the role.
In response to Vargo’s retirement, the foundation has tapped Angela White, CEO of Greenwood-based strategic and philanthropic consulting firm Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates (JGA), to succeed Vargo.
As part of the succession plan, White will join the foundation as executive vice president on Aug. 5, 2024, and take over as president and CEO on Jan. 15, 2026.
“Angela is an exceptional leader who has been a trusted partner of Eskenazi Health Foundation for many years and knows us well. We are pleased to bring her diverse experience and knowledge to our leadership team,” Dennis Oklak, incoming Eskenazi Health Foundation board chair, said in a news release. “We are also thankful for the runway Ernie has given us in planning for his retirement, giving Angela valuable time for transition and ensuring that we continue our upward trajectory of success.”
Vargo was named president and CEO in 2010 after serving as a consultant for several years. The foundation said Vargo’s efforts during his tenure helped bring it in line with peer hospital foundations by raising more than $180 million.
Those efforts included leading the Eskenazi Health Campaign, which raised more than $87 million for a new public hospital, which opened in late 2013.
“I am grateful to all of the donors, Eskenazi Health Foundation board of directors, and the teams at Eskenazi Health and Eskenazi Health Foundation who believe in our mission to serve everyone in our community, especially the most vulnerable,” said Vargo. “The foundation is fortunate to have Angela’s commitment and leadership to move the foundation to new heights and serve even more of our neighbors.”
White joined JGA in 1996 and became CEO in 2011. She previously served as executive director for institutional advancement at the University of Indianapolis.
“I am grateful to my colleagues and clients at Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates for the privilege of leading the firm and supporting important nonprofit missions across the country,” said White. “Philanthropy is a powerful tool to change lives, and I look forward to working with the Eskenazi Health Foundation to lift up our neighbors and continue to change lives for the better.”
JGA on Wednesday also announced that Lee Ernst will succeed White as CEO, effective July 1, 2024. Ernst has been with the consultancy for 11 years and will assume the role of chief operating officer during her transition to CEO.