Robert Eichfeld, Jay Lewis Appointed to National Philanthropic Trust Board of Trustees

JENKINSTOWN, Pa., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Eichfeld and Jay L. Lewis to its Board of Trustees. NPT manages the fourth largest national donor-advised program, is a top grantmaking institution and has been named one of the 50 fastest growing charities in the country.

Mr. Eichfeld is a retired Citigroup executive, current advisor for international financial projects and Vice Chairman of the Grameen Foundation's Board of Director's. Eileen Heisman, President and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust, said "Bob Eichfeld's experience in global finance and passion for international philanthropy are a perfect fit for National Philanthropic Trust mission. I am honored that he has agreed to lend his expertise to our Board, and I look forward to having him sharing his wealth of knowledge about emerging charitable giving models and international investments."

Mr. Lewis has worked as an entrepreneur, founding a large national broker-dealer that was purchased by MetLife, as a corporate executive at MetLife and more recently a nonprofit consultant. "Jay has great experience meshing his financial expertise with his passion for giving back," said Eileen Heisman. "His insight into investment and financial strategies will make a positive contribution to NPT's Board and the Investment Committee. I am thrilled Jay is willing to volunteer his time and share his knowledge with the NPT team."

Robert Eichfeld

Robert Eichfeld is a retired Citigroup executive.  During a 33 year tenure, Mr. Eichfeld managed Citibank's business activities in a number of countries throughout the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East and Asia.  Since 2000 he has advised a venture capital fund in Dubai and a new bank in Bahrain.  He also sits on the board of the leading investment bank in the Middle East region. 

Further, during the last 12 years, Mr. Eichfeld has worked with various social development organizations.  He currently serves as board vice chair for the Grameen Foundation, which uses microfinance and technology to economically enable the world's poorest populations; and Give To Colombia, which strives to improve the lives of the underserved in Colombia.  He is a graduate of Wake Forest University; Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management, where he serves as chair elect of its Global Advisory Council; and Harvard's Executive Program for Management Development.

Jay L. Lewis

Jay Lewis co-founded Nathan & Lewis Securities Inc., where he acted as President and CEO for nearly 20 years. Mr. Lewis then served as a Senior Vice President at MetLife after it acquired Nathan & Lewis. More recently, he has served as a consultant and board member to nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike. Mr. Lewis is Chairman of the Board for the DOME Project, a New York City charity that provides alternative choices for youth in troubled communities. He is the founder and a member of both the New York City chapter of the Financial Planning Association and the Mutual Fund Forum.

About National Philanthropic Trust

NPT was founded in 1996. Since that time, it has risen over $2.5 billion in charitable contributions and currently manages over $1 billion in charitable assets.  NPT has made nearly 55,000 grants totaling $1.5 billion to charities all over the world and ranks among the 25 largest grantmaking institutions in the United States.  NPT publishes the DAF Report, which is a unique, annual compilation and analysis of charitable organizations that sponsor donor-advised funds.  www.NPTrust.org.

SOURCE National Philanthropic Trust