Our Staff
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The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund Team (l-r) Emily Grillo, Rick Luftglass, Laurie M. Tisch, Jen Bokoff |
Rick Luftglass
Executive Director
Rick Luftglass is a seasoned philanthropy professional who has worked in the private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. He began his career in New York City cultural nonprofits, received an MBA at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and spent 16 years at Pfizer, where he served as Executive Director of the Pfizer Foundation and Senior Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement for Pfizer Inc. Recently, Mr. Luftglass has served as a consultant for private foundations, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and as a grants reviewer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods and the Department of Education's Promise Neighborhoods initiatives, which are part of the White House's new flagship neighborhood revitalization strategy.
Mr. Luftglass' passion is in urban issues - appreciating the vitality, diversity and rich assets of cities and developing solutions for the problems that affect them. His areas of interest include health care, education, community and economic development, affordable housing, urban history, arts and immigrant communities. He is particularly attuned to collaborative strategies that address multiple issues, engage multiple sectors and foster comprehensive community change.
In addition to grantmaking, Mr. Luftglass has worked on public/private partnerships and engaged with community and elected representatives at the city, state and federal levels. He led the ramp-up of Pfizer's Community Health Advocacy, a novel strategy to partner with community-based, multicultural and faith-based organizations to advance public policy issues of mutual interest. He has also worked in New York City's arts organizations, with a particular focus on jazz and immigrant culture.
Mr. Luftglass has served on the Board of Directors of Philanthropy New York, the Council on Foundation's Corporate Advisory Committee and the Executive Committee of the Conference Board's Contributions Council, and was past Chair of the Contributions Advisory Group, a professional association in New York City. He currently serves as President of the board of the Center for Traditional Music and Dance and is cochair of economic development on the Economic/Waterfront, Community Development and Housing committee of Brooklyn's Community Board 6.
Emily Grillo
Foundation Associate
As the Foundation Associate, Ms. Grillo has the responsibility of supporting the role of the Fund's president and leading the operational functions. Ms. Grillo also acts as a liaison between the Fund's grantees and consultants and helps facilitate grant programs and special projects as needed.
Prior to the Illumination Fund, Ms. Grillo was the assistant secretary to the board of trustees at the Whitney Museum of American Art, working with the senior management and the board on the Museum's capital campaign project. Ms. Grillo brings her arts development and administration experience to help coordinate the Fund's various initiatives and events.
Jen Bokoff
Grants Manager & Office Administrator
As the Illumination Fund's Office Administrator, Ms. Bokoff oversees grants administration, office operations, installations, and events. She also manages the Fund's online presence and assists the Executive Director on grant research.
Prior to the Illumination Fund, Ms. Bokoff was a paralegal for the Internal Revenue Service and client advocate for LIFT, an anti-poverty nonprofit . She currently serves as a gift officer and Alumni Council member for Tufts University. Ms. Bokoff brings her project management and organizational experience to help grow the Fund's administrative practices and initiatives.