Gene D’Adamo, president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust, will retire in January 2027 after spending 12 years with the nonprofit focused on helping people in need in Indiana and Arizona as well as protecting nature and the environment.
Under D’Adamo’s leadership, the nonprofit helped the trust distribute millions of dollars to Indiana and Arizona communities through the Season for Sharing program he developed, according to an April 27 news release.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Trust announced that Jeff Small, vice president of programs with the organization, will be D’Adamo’s successor. Small will officially begin his new leadership role Jan. 29, 2027, and the trust will begin searching for a new VP of Programs while Small begins his transition.
D’Adamo started working for The Arizona Republic/The Phoenix Gazette when he was 18 years old and Nina and Gene Pulliam owned the newspapers.
“I grew up, personally and professionally, under the Pulliam tradition, so ending my career by carrying on Nina’s amazing legacy is a dream come true,” D’Adamo said in the release. “I couldn’t have scripted a better career path.”
After spending more than three decades in the Phoenix newsrooms, D’Adamo shifted to a role dedicated to community relations.
Since 2014, D’Adamo has brought his steady vision to the organization, said Kent Agness, a trustee for the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust.
“From strengthening our commitment to the causes close to Mrs. Pulliam’s heart to strategic grantmaking that guided the organization through meaningful growth, Gene leaves an enduring legacy defined by integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to public service,” Agness said in the release.
The organization began a strategic grantmaking program under D’Adamo that included reducing application burdens, offering more capacity-building grants and encouraging staff to work with the community to provide flexible funding.
The trust also began funding journalism initiatives under D’Adamo’s leadership. The Indianapolis Star’s environmental desk, staffed with two journalists, is funded through the grant that also supports a team of environmental journalists at the Arizona Republic.
Ryan Martin, executive editor at IndyStar, said the IndyStar is grateful for D’Adamo’s leadership.
“Because of his vision and support, Hoosiers have broader access to essential journalism about our environment and natural resources,” Martin said.
D’Adamo’s work at the trust has led to a decrease in animal euthanasia and surrender rates, an increase in spay-and-neuter rates and an improvement in White River water quality. The trust awarded nearly $214 million in grants during his tenure.
Outside of his work with the trust, D’Adamo serves on numerous boards and has been recognized for his philanthropic work with the Indianapolis Chancellor’s Circle and Indy Chamber.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to work at the Pulliam Trust,” D’Adamo said. “Working with our incredible staff, nonprofit partners, community leaders and foundation colleagues has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my career. We’ve accomplished some incredible things in support of our communities.”
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk or BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social.
IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust CEO Gene D’Adamo to retire
Reporting by Karl Schneider, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
