Naomi Orensten joins ESC as new CEO effective August 4, 2025

The Empower Success Corps Board is excited to welcome Naomi as our new CEO. Naomi’s strategic vision and deep experience across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors align perfectly with ESC’s mission, values and our strategic goals for the future. We look forward to our partnership with Naomi as she guides the organization through this next chapter of innovation, growth and commitment to support and empower New England’s nonprofit community.

Naomi’s career spans effective and equitable philanthropic practice, nonprofit capacity-building, and equity-driven systems design. With a generalist mindset, she brings a strong track record of developing initiatives, navigating complex change, fostering deep stakeholder relationships, and leading operational transformation. Naomi’s experience at the Dorot Foundation, Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), and Krupp Family Foundation showcases her ability to bridge funders and nonprofit partners, strengthen organizational impact, and lead with empathy, equity, and strategy. Naomi is particularly suited to lead ESC at this transformational moment, bringing both vision and tactical know-how.

“ESC’s mission deeply resonates with me. In a time of overlapping crises, the nonprofit sector needs access to high-quality, values-aligned support that equips organizations to meet the moment and advance their missions with confidence and care. I cannot think of a place more exciting and meaningful to apply my values, knowledge, experience, and curiosity than together with you,” said Orensten.

At the Dorot Foundation, Naomi served as Senior Director of Programs & Strategy, collaborating closely with trustees to shape and implement strategy – including the creation of a national democracy program area and a place-based program area focused on a more just and equitable Boston. Naomi brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit and philanthropic consulting, including successive leadership roles at the Center for Effective Philanthropy as Director of Assessment & Advisory Services and later as Director of Research. She previously served as a Senior Consultant at Informing Change, a boutique consulting firm.

In addition, Naomi is a thought leader in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Her work has been published in The Hill, the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), and the Foundation Review. She is a sought-after speaker, who has presented and moderated at regional and national events, such as for the National Center for Family Philanthropy, CEP, PEAK New England, and BoardSource.

Naomi grew up in rural Wisconsin and came to the Boston area as a Brandeis University undergraduate student, followed by earning a master’s degree at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She lives in Cambridge with her family.

The entire Empower Success Corps (ESC) family looks forward to welcoming Naomi as our CEO.