Photo by Wes Roberts.

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has announced a new chapter in its leadership. Dr. John Brothers stepped in as the Foundation’s new President and CEO on December 1, succeeding Teri A Hansen, who leaves behind a powerful legacy of more than a decade as the start-up CEO and a 30-plus-year career in philanthropic leadership. Brothers brings a distinguished record of philanthropic leadership, most recently as President of the T. Rowe Price Foundation and T. Rowe Price Charitable, where he guided more than $750 million in assets and oversaw $150 million in annual giving. His work has spanned global partnerships and grassroots community initiatives, reflecting a deep commitment to equity, trust and impact in philanthropy.From his own past personal challenges to his college football days, his leadership approach and his aspirations for his role as President and CEO, Brothers opened up to SRQ Magazine, giving readers a chance to get to know him on a deeper level.

What does true compassion in philanthropy look like to you?

I have grown up receiving soup from the ladle, meaning I've been homeless. I've gotten soup from the ladle. I've given soup from the ladle. I've managed soup ladlers. I've researched soup ladling and I've funded soup ladling. I've been at all different avenues of that and I can point to you the times in which someone came in and told me they knew more about why I was poor than I did. That is not compassion. Compassion is just sitting side by side with others, not having judgment, working with them to help them get to the next level on their own steam and providing support to them to get there. We are all glasses half empty and I think if we can help each other be the best that we can be, that's great.

Catch the full story in the upcoming January 2026 of SRQ Magazine.

Photo by Wes Roberts.