Tides today announced the commencement of an executive transition that will ultimately result in new leadership for the 33-year-old organization. Philanthropic pioneer and Tides founder, Drummond Pike, will step down from his role as CEO in the coming year. The Tides Board of Directors has initiated a search for a successor, and Pike will continue in his current role as CEO until the search and leadership transition is concluded.

“As Founder and CEO, Drummond leaves a legacy of innovation and capacity to a sector that had historically been fragmented and overlooked,” said Melissa Bradley Burns, Tides Board Chair. “As one of the first ‘social entrepreneurs,’ Drummond has evolved Tides from a great idea to one of the top 100 social sector organizations in the United States.

Bradley continues, “The board is pleased that Drummond remains committed to leading Tides until a new CEO is retained, and the board is also excited about this new opportunity for change and looks forward to working with the senior staff to ensure a successful transition. We expect the change to provide extraordinary opportunities for the organization to reach new levels of excellence.”

While ideas and structural innovations are part of Pike’s legacy, the deep commitment to mission and purpose will most likely be the lasting element to which future leaders of Tides will turn. After his successor is named, the Tides Board hopes that Drummond will agree to a continuing role supporting the organization.

To hear more from Drummond on his transition, read his blog.