Elizabeth brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership and social impact experience spanning child protection, human trafficking, disability services, international development, crisis response, and community-based care. Throughout her career, she has led organizations through periods of significant growth and transformation, built cross-sector partnerships, mobilized resources, and developed solutions designed to create lasting impact for vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Most recently, Elizabeth served as Chief Executive Officer of The BiG Community, an innovative organization serving adults with disabilities in Central Texas, where she led the organization through a period of significant growth, including a $12 million capital campaign.
Previously, Elizabeth was a founding member of the leadership team at Unbound Now, where she helped expand the organization’s work to prevent child trafficking from one county to six countries, and supported the development of a replication network of 12 partners across nine states. Her career has spanned more than 10 countries across four global regions and has included humanitarian response along the Poland-Ukraine border.
Griffin succeeds Lisa Parrott, whom we wish the very best for in her next chapter.
A Leader for Miracle Foundation’s Next Chapter
Since our founding in Austin in 2000, Miracle Foundation has been guided by a simple but powerful belief: children belong in families.
Our work has evolved from supporting children living in orphanages to addressing the circumstances and systems that separate children from their families in the first place. Today, we work alongside families, communities, child welfare professionals, nonprofit partners, and governments to prevent unnecessary separation, strengthen families, and help children safely remain with or return to family.
Elizabeth’s experience aligns closely with this work. She is known for bringing a builder’s mindset to complex challenges and translating big ideas into organizations, partnerships, and systems that can create lasting impact. She is particularly passionate about family strengthening, child welfare reform, and developing sustainable solutions that address the systems surrounding vulnerable children and families.
“We were looking for a leader who understands that this work is not about building better institutions. It is about creating a world where children do not need them,” said Leslie Beasley, Chair of Miracle Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Elizabeth brings a rare combination of child protection experience, organizational leadership, and a proven ability to build the partnerships and resources necessary to scale impact. We are excited to welcome her as Miracle Foundation’s next CEO.”
Looking Ahead
As CEO, Elizabeth will lead Miracle Foundation’s global strategy and operations as we work to expand family-based solutions and strengthen the systems responsible for supporting vulnerable children and families.
Her experience building and scaling organizations, developing partnerships across sectors, mobilizing resources, and working across cultures and communities brings valuable perspective to Miracle Foundation as we continue expanding the reach of solutions that help children and families thrive.
For Elizabeth, that next chapter is about both where Miracle Foundation is going and how we get there.
“What excites me about Miracle Foundation is not only where we’re going, but how we’re getting there: strengthening families, transforming systems, and creating change that lasts,” Elizabeth said. “I’m honored to partner with our teams and local communities around the world to make that vision a reality.”
Welcome, Elizabeth
There is ambitious work ahead, and we are grateful to have Elizabeth leading it.
Together with our staff, partners, supporters, and the communities we serve, we will continue working toward the vision that has guided Miracle Foundation for more than 25 years: A family for every child in our lifetime.
Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth Griffin to Miracle Foundation.