The Arcus Foundation Names Cynthia Hallenbeck to New Position of Vice President of Finance and Operations

NEW YORK, NY (November 29, 2011) — The Arcus Foundation, a leading global foundation advancing pressing social justice and conservation issues, announced today that Cynthia A. Hallenbeck has been named to the newly-created position of Vice President of Finance and Operations. Hallenbeck will join the organization in January 2012 and report to Arcus Foundation CEO Dr. Yvette C. Burton. Arcus supports organizations around the world working to advance equality across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). Arcus also supports global efforts to ensure preservation and conservation of the world’s great apes.

Hallenbeck’s responsibilities will include the development of the Foundation’s financial management strategy, as well as contributions to the development of its broader social justice and conservation strategies. In addition, she will lead the development and implementation of financial and operational policies and procedures.

“Cynthia has vast operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management that makes her an ideal addition to our leadership team,” said Burton. “As the Arcus Foundation continues to expand its work globally, Cynthia will play an integral role in developing and achieving our strategic goals and objectives, while also focusing on ensuring that Arcus is as efficient and effective as possible.”

Added Burton, “We have an exceptionally strong leadership team and a staff of respected subject matter experts in place who share a results-oriented approach to impactful grantmaking and advocacy. Together, we are striving to catalyze measurable change around the globe.”

Since 2010, Hallenbeck has served on an interim basis as the acting CFO and CAO at the Council for Economic Education, an organization focused on improving the economic and financial literacy of K-12 students. She is also an independent director for the commercial real estate services firm Walker & Dunlop, where she serves as chair of the audit committee and a member of the compensation committee.

Hallenbeck’s career has included tenures at both Citigroup and Merrill Lynch & Company. At Citigroup, she held a number of positions, most recently as managing director and COO of the Global Legal Support corporate center. At Merrill Lynch, she was Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Global Securities Financing Group, Corporate and Institutional Client Group.

Among her affiliations is her ongoing role as board treasurer of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, a unique global alliance of independent organizations working together to accelerate the development of safe and effective HIV vaccines.

Hallenbeck is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Business School.

About the Arcus Foundation

The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports organizations around the world working to advance equality across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI) as well as conservation of the world’s great apes. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the mission of the Arcus Foundation is to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race, and to ensure conservation and respect of the great apes. The Foundation works globally and has offices in Kalamazoo, MI, New York City and Cambridge, UK