PROVIDENCE – Mary Brooks “Polly” Wall, the retired former Royal Bank of Scotland executive, was named the next chair of the Rhode Island Foundation board of directors.
Effective Jan. 1, Wall’s three-year tenure will follow that of Marie Langlois as head of the state’s largest community foundation. The 13-member board is responsible for setting foundation policy. In 2017, the organization raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to 1,700 nonprofits.
In a statement, Wall said of her forthcoming work as chair of the foundation’s board: “It is well-recognized that for all the advantages and assets of Rhode Island, there is also tremendous need. There are countless opportunities to encourage, provide for and enhance life among our residents. In addressing such need, the foundation has an impressive 100-plus-year history as a diligent steward, strategic funder and efficient conduit for donors to support the nonprofit work that is meaningful to each of them.”
Wall, who has served on the foundation’s board since 2011, currently serves as the group’s secretary and heads the finance committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard University. Her professional experience includes time as managing director and chief credit officer (Americas) for Royal Bank of Scotland, a grain merchandiser at Continental Grain Co. and she completed Global Credit training at the Chase Manhattan Bank.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
