Portland, Ore., – The PGE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric, today named former PGE president and CEO Peggy Fowler as the next board chair effective January 1, 2021. Gwyneth Gamble Booth, who has chaired the PGE Foundation since its founding in 1997, is stepping down as board chair to serve as an emeritus board member starting in 2021.
“It has been such an honor to have Gwyneth Gamble Booth serve as the PGE Foundation chair since it began. She is one of Portland’s most celebrated civic icons and philanthropists with an amazing heart for the people in our community,” said Dave Robertson, vice chair of the PGE Foundation. “We are also grateful to our incoming chair Peggy Fowler, who brings tremendous experience, leadership and service to her new role at the PGE Foundation. Under her guidance, the foundation’s grantmaking will continue to equitably serve Oregon families.”
Gwyneth Gamble Booth, outgoing PGE Foundation chair, said, “Leading the PGE Foundation for more than twenty years has been an incredible honor. I look forward to continuing my involvement as an emeritus board member and know the foundation is in good hands with Peggy at the helm as it continues to improve the lives of Oregonians through investments in education, arts and culture, and social services.”
Peggy Fowler, incoming chair of the PGE Foundation, said, “I thank Gwyneth for her extraordinary example, leading the foundation through decades of expanding impact, culminating in a record year in 2020 of nearly $1.7 million in giving. I look forward to following in her footsteps, meeting the diverse needs of Oregonians, and collaborating with community and other philanthropic organizations to best serve our neighbors.”
About Gwyneth Gamble Booth
Gwyneth Gamble Booth, former television journalist for Oregon Public Broadcasting, has been Chair of the PGE Foundation since its inception. In that time, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling $25 million to nonprofits throughout the state of Oregon. Gwyneth was the first woman to be named to the Board of Directors of Portland General Electric in the 1980s where she led several committees, including the charitable contributions committee.
Gwyneth has been an active, involved member of the philanthropic and nonprofit communities in Portland for many years, with her very own “star” in the pavement outside of the Performing Arts Center for her passionate efforts in community service. For more than 15 years, she was a weekly facilitator at the Dougy Center, helping children and their families cope with the grief of the death of a loved one. She created the Dougy Center’s advisory board and served as Chair of the board of directors for Dougy. She also served on the boards of the Portland Art Museum, RACC (Regional Arts & Culture Council) and the Japanese Garden Society.
About Peggy Fowler
Peggy Fowler has served on the PGE Foundation board since its inception. Peggy began her tenure at Portland General Electric in 1974 as a chemist and went on to manage almost every major area of the company before becoming PGE’s first female CEO in 2000. She guided Oregon’s largest electric utility through one of the most challenging periods in its history. She was recognized as Oregon’s Most Admired CEO in 2005 by the Portland Business Journal. Her leadership and steadfast dedication to her co-workers, the company and the community lead to PGE being relisted on the NYSE in 2006. She retired from PGE in 2009 and served on the Board of Directors until 2012. She currently serves as the board chair of the Umpqua Holdings Corporation and chair of nominating and governance committee for Hawaiian Electric Industries.
Peggy has served on the boards of many nonprofits, including George Fox University, Oregon Historical Society and Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities (The Alliance). Peggy and her husband Bob are long-time supporters of the Dougy Center and Boys & Girls clubs.
About the PGE Foundation
The PGE Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric. Founded in 1997, the foundation was created through an endowment with the expressed purpose of improving the quality of life for Oregonians. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $25 million to community organizations across the state. We champion values that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. Working together with community members, partners and friends, we are committed to using our time and resources to help eliminate disparities and create an equitable society where all people can reach their full potential. To learn more, please visit pgefoundation.org.