Mourning the Passing of Patrice Cromwell, Vice President, Center for Economic Opportunity
![Patrice Cromwell and Alison Kear](https://assets.aecf.org/m/blogimg/_largeHeader/blog-caseymournspartricecromwell-2024.jpg)
From left: The Casey Foundation's Patrice Cromwell and Alison Kear, a Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellow
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is saddened to share that Patrice Cromwell, vice president of the Foundation’s Center for Economic Opportunity, passed away on Aug. 27, 2024, after a long illness. Cromwell, who spent nearly 20 years at the Foundation, led its investments to improve financial stability and educational and economic prospects for children, young people and families.
“Patrice dedicated her life to ensuring that every family has the economic stability to thrive, and that every young person has the opportunity to learn, earn and save for a brighter future,” said Foundation President and CEO Lisa Hamilton. “She was effective not only because of her considerable technical expertise, but a passion and light that inspired others to do this important work.”
Hamilton noted that even in her final days, for example, Cromwell took time out to welcome a new employee. “She modeled a gracious, warm leadership that embodied the best of Casey.”
The Foundation’s Center for Economic Opportunity focuses on improving educational and economic opportunities and systems for young people. Its investments develop pathways for parents to become financially stable and support their children’s healthy development and academic success; equip young people to prepare for employment; support student parents in completing their education; and help young people gain access to and navigate public benefits, manage their money and save for the future.
Cromwell’s accomplishments included creating Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP), a multimillion-dollar initiative with 10 local partnerships across the country to increase employment and educational opportunities for young people facing some of the greatest challenges on the path to adulthood. Another initiative, Expanding Opportunities for Young Families, aids young parents in college completion.
Prior to her arrival at Casey, Cromwell spent more than two decades creating, running and working for nonprofits and a local foundation in the Baltimore region and worked in finance and management consulting in New York.
Cromwell held a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton and a Master of Business Administration from Yale University. She served on the steering committee of the Youth Transition Funders Group, an organization of national and regional philanthropic partners, and as vice president of the board of directors of the Putney Open Door Fund, which works to eliminate barriers for young people seeking educational summer experiences.
“Patrice’s dedication and wisdom shone through in everything she did, and she will be deeply missed not only by her colleagues but by partners across the field,” Hamilton said. “The hearts of our entire Casey community are with her family and friends during this hard time.”