Warner brings decades of experience advocating for gender equity and reproductive rights
The Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity (CGRE), a community of donors and foundations uniting to advance gender, reproductive and racial equity, announced today that they have chosen Ann Warner, most recently the Interim CEO of the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), to lead the organization as the Executive Director. Warner will assume the role on January 5, 2026, at which time CGRE’s current and inaugural Executive Director, Margaret Hempel, will step down after more than six years in the position.
Hempel has led the organization since its founding in 2019, during which time the collaborative has made $266 million in grants to over 270 grantee partners in 17 states. Under Hempel’s leadership, CGRE developed a unique approach to funding in states with flexible, low burden, mostly general operating support grants. This approach to funding has been praised by partners as encouraging collective action and significantly enhancing organizations’ ability to grow the movement at a statewide level, helping to build a more connected, adaptive, and effective network of partners.
Ann will also assume the role of Executive Director for the independent, values aligned project, Gender Equity Action Fund (GEAF).
“Leading CGRE has been the privilege of a lifetime, and one that took place during such a consequential moment for our rights. It has been incredible to see the impact and ability of our partners to create lasting change,” Hempel said. “As I wind down in my role, I can truly say that CGRE is in capable hands with Ann. Her experience, coupled with her advocacy work and dedication to rights and equity, makes her the perfect visionary to build upon what we’ve created at CGRE and GEAF. I look forward to seeing the organization grow under her leadership.”
As CGRE’s Executive Director, Warner will build on the momentum Hempel brought to CGRE over the past several years. She will work to cultivate and grow the network of funder partners, grantee partners, and other stakeholders with the goal of raising at least $40 million annually; raise new resources and leverage existing resources for organizations led by and for those most impacted by gender, reproductive, and racial inequities; and amplify the voices of those whom CGRE and GEAF support.
Warner brings more than two decades of experience leading organizations and advocating for the rights and empowerment of women, girls, and gender-expansive people around the world. Prior to her role at ICRW, Warner was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), a non-profit organization that is now one of the leading gender justice advocacy organizations in the Southern United States. Under Warner’s leadership, WREN built a vibrant movement for gender justice and led multiple successful advocacy campaigns for reproductive rights, contraceptive access, paid leave, and prevention of discrimination against pregnant workers.
“I am honored to join this team of devoted advocates and to return to my roots in domestic and state-based advocacy work, especially at this critical juncture in our nation’s history,” said Warner. “Right now, as attacks on our rights intensify and multiply, our partners and our communities dedicated to the pursuit of equity need our support more than ever before. I look forward to continuing CGRE’s work and joining our partners in this mission.”
About CGRE
CGRE is a first-of-its-kind community of major foundations and individual donors with deep expertise around the needs and priorities of gender, reproductive, and racial equity movements. Their grants support advocacy and nonprofit organizations to defend equity and work toward a future in which every person has the resources and autonomy needed to thrive.