After 12 years of impactful leadership and service in Arizona and Indiana, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust President and CEO Gene D’Adamo (left) is retiring in January 2027. Jeff Small (right), the Trust’s vice president of programs, has been selected as the incoming president and CEO.
“Gene D’Adamo has been an outstanding CEO for the Trust during the last 12 years,” said Carol Schilling, trustee and board chair of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “He has helped us refine our vision and rise to meet unexpected challenges facing the philanthropic community. Gene helped us find the most effective ways to support Arizona and Indiana during the COVID-19 crisis and economic downturns, when community needs were greatest and nonprofit resources were most stretched. And he has always been a delight to work with.”
Since joining the organization in 2014, D’Adamo has spearheaded a shift to trust-based, strategic grantmaking. This includes reducing application burdens, offering more capacity-building grants, encouraging staff to research issues and conduct community listening sessions, providing flexible funding for small nonprofits, and engaging regularly with community leaders and partners. D’Adamo oversaw the Trust’s animal welfare initiative and the development of the environmental and journalism initiatives to increase responsible pet ownership, protect water resources, and encourage civic engagement through the power of the press. Animal euthanasia and surrender rates have decreased significantly; spay-and-neuter surgeries have increased; billions of gallons of water have been saved in the Verde River; water quality in the White River has improved; and local news coverage in Indiana has increased. In the last year, he has also organized an effort to expand local journalism in Arizona. During D’Adamo’s tenure, nearly $214 million of grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations in Indiana and Arizona.
“Gene’s leadership and steady vision have shaped the Trust in lasting ways,” said Kent Agness, trustee for the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable 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. We are grateful for Gene’s years of dedication and wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.”
D’Adamo’s career is a culmination of more than 38 years of community and philanthropic work. Prior to the Trust, he was a loaned executive at Valley of the Sun United Way, an experience that shifted his career from marketing and public relations to community relations and philanthropy. As the vice president of community relations for Republic Media, which included The Arizona Republic, 12 News and azcentral.com, he became a leader in Arizona philanthropy. He developed the Season for Sharing program, which has distributed millions of dollars to nonprofits in Arizona and Indiana. D’Adamo spent 33 years in various roles at The Arizona Republic, previously owned by Eugene C. Pulliam and Nina Mason Pulliam as part of Central Newspapers Inc. Much of his career was nurtured under the Pulliam legacy through the mentorship of The Arizona Republic’s longtime public affairs director Bill Shover and the late Frank Russell, who helped launch the Trust and served as its founding chairman. In addition, D’Adamo has served on more than 20 boards and received numerous awards for his philanthropic activities, including the Indianapolis Chancellor’s Circle, Indy Chamber, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Arizona Educational Foundation.
“Gene D’Adamo’s retirement marks the close of an extraordinary chapter,” said Lisa Shover Kackley, trustee for the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “His leadership and guidance have strengthened the organization and inspired colleagues and partners alike, leaving a legacy that will endure well beyond this moment. With a longstanding connection to the Trust and the Pulliam family, Gene’s leadership has always been grounded in relationships, trust, and shared values. Gene’s impact on the Trust and philanthropy will be felt for years to come.”
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to work at the Pulliam Trust,” said D’Adamo. “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.
“I started my career at 18, working for The Arizona Republic/The Phoenix Gazette when Nina and Gene owned it. 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. I couldn’t have scripted a better career path.”
The organization will continue to benefit from D’Adamo’s experience and perspective until Jan. 29, 2027. In the coming months, D’Adamo will begin transitioning responsibilities to Small and start the search for the vice president of programs position left vacant by Small.
