MACP Vice President and General Counsel, Heather Kukla, will become President of the Philanthropies in 2023
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, November 21, 2022 — Paul Busch, President & CEO of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), announced that after nearly 15 years in a leadership role with the organization, including the past 5 years as CEO, he is retiring. Paul shared the announcement in a meeting with MACP employees, and the news was also communicated to grantees and other partners.
Current MACP Vice President and General Counsel, Heather Kukla, will assume the role in April of 2023. Paul will continue in his role on the organization’s Board of Directors.
In his remarks to staff, Paul commented, “As we approach the milestone of $3 billion in cumulative grants at MACP, I am thankful for the passionate and talented staff we have attracted to MACP and their commitment to our impact as an organization. I will treasure the memories of building the Philanthropies alongside such an amazing staff and incredible partners, as well as the strong relationships and friendships that I could never have imagined. I will always appreciate the trust placed in me to help fulfill the mission and vision of this organization.”
Board Chair Christy Morse, remarked, “Like many organizations, MACP has faced changes and challenges over the past several years, and Paul has provided crucial leadership throughout. His commitment to our mission, as well as his strong, collaborative relationships internally with staff and externally with grantees and other partners, has set a tone and direction for the organization that will have a significant impact for years to come.”
In succeeding Paul, Heather Kukla brings broad legal and management experience, and she has spent more than 13 years at the Philanthropies, initially as Director of Legal Affairs, later as General Counsel, and for the last 5 years, as Vice President and General Counsel. Heather has also served as Secretary to the Boards of Directors of MACP’s two grantmaking entities – Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Anne Ray Foundation. More recently, her role has expanded to include Board planning and coordination as well as multiple operational responsibilities.
Prior to joining the Philanthropies, Heather practiced law with Hogan & Hartson LLP (now Hogan Lovells), first in Washington, D.C. and later in New York. While there, Heather focused primarily on commercial litigation and spent considerable time serving pro bono legal clients. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota and her juris doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
In discussing the transition, Paul commented, “The decision to retire is rarely easy, and the challenges of the past few years certainly added complexity in terms of timing. But Heather’s combination of strategic focus, integrity, and ability to build relationships that are both enduring and authentic make her the ideal choice to lead MACP. I’m confident this will be a smooth and successful transition for our staff and partners.”
