President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation resigns

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The president of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is stepping down after three years on the job.

Monique Moore Pryor was hired as executive director of the foundation in 2023. She was named president in 2024.

In a joint statement issued with the foundation board, Pryor said she is resigning to “attend to pressing family matters.” Board chair Jeffry Benoliel praised Pryor for expanding and diversifying the foundation’s donor base.

“We want to thank Monique for her partnership and wish her and her family the best during this difficult time,” Benoliel said in a written statement.

The Free Library Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Free Library of Philadelphia, supporting its operations and running programs including the Author Events series and One Book One Philadelphia.

Created in 1893, the foundation never had an executive director until Pryor.

Early in her tenure, Pryor faced significant pushback from employees, particularly from the staff of the Author Events series. The staff resigned en masse in June 2024 to protest Pryor’s management and programming decisions, but the foundation board fired them later that same day.

Before Pryor was hired, the foundation began a three-year strategic planning process, which is expected to be completed next year. An interim leader will be appointed, according to the foundation, while the search for a permanent seat replacement will begin after the library completes its strategic plan.

“While any organizational change is hard, we are excited about building on the progress of the last few years and the upcoming release of the strategic plan,” Benoliel said in the statement.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Pryor’s title.

Editor’s Note: Jeffry Benoliel and his wife, Amy Branch, are WHYY supporters. WHYY News produces independent, fact-based news content for audiences in Greater Philadelphia, Delaware and South Jersey.