Craig Drinkard is the Executive Officer of the Victoria Foundation, assuming the role in April 2022. He served as co-director leading the foundation staff and trustees to its recently adopted strategic framework that focuses on Strengthening Community Power, Fostering Economic Justice, Youth Self-Determination, and Responding to Pressing Needs. Craig was born and raised in Newark and the first Black person to lead the Foundation in its 98-year history. Craig joined the Victoria Foundation staff in 2006 as a Program Officer. and launched the Foundation’s Capacity Building Initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the non-profit sector in Newark while leading its economic development grantmaking investments. In 2011, Craig was promoted to Senior Program Officer. Prior to Victoria Foundation, Craig served as a Program Officer at the Community Foundation of New Jersey. In this capacity, he oversaw two initiatives aimed at developing grassroots leaders throughout New Jersey – the Neighborhood Leadership Initiative and Parents Organizing Parents Strategy. Craig serves on the board of several non-profit and philanthropic organizations such as The Regional Foundation, LEAD Charter School, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Opportunity Youth Network-Newark, and Believe in a Healthy Newark. Craig was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey and is a product of the Newark Public School system. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from Bloomfield College and received his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.