Andrea Hughes Photography
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) has named Das Rooprai as its new CEO. He will be the fourth leader of the 24-year-old organization.
CNPE is a member organization that serves hundreds of nonprofits throughout Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana. CNPE’s goal is to elevate the economic, social, and cultural impact of the nonprofit sector. The organization provides professional development, hands-on consultation, networking opportunities, and thought leadership to help nonprofits fulfill their mission more effectively. CNPE celebrates the diversity of our community and welcomes all to engage, learn and thrive together.
Rooprai comes to CNPE with more than 20 years of experience as a corporate executive, nonprofit and business consultant and entrepreneur with well-known brands, including Yum!, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, and Peet’s Coffee. He most recently was vice president of the Strategy Division at Ashley Rountree & Associates, where he helped more than a dozen area nonprofits develop strategic plans and hone their missions in a post-pandemic world.
“For us, Das represents the best of all possible combinations of talents,” said CNPE Board Chair Ashley Parrott, who also served as the co-chair of the search committee. “He is a visionary leader who understands what it takes to bring an idea to life. Das is action-oriented, and his experience and passion for the nonprofit sector will ensure that we always keep the needs of our members at the forefront when making decisions.”
Rooprai lives in Louisville and values his diverse upbringing as the son of an engineer from India and an artist from the Midwest. “Throughout my life,” he said, “I’ve leveraged my diverse upbringing and career to creatively improve things around me. I am inspired by the impact our nonprofits have, and by the generous support of our community. It is an honor to lead this next chapter of CNPE.”
CNPE’s previous CEO, Ann L. Coffey, stepped down July 31 after five years, including a year as interim. Coffey timed her departure so the board could onboard a new CEO before entering its next strategic planning process, meaning the process will be led by the person responsible for implementing the plan.
CNPE is supported by the James Graham Brown Foundation; the C.E.& S. Foundation; Owsley Brown II Family Foundation; Brown-Forman Foundation; Community Foundation of Louisville; Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence; Mildred V. Horn Foundation; Legacy Foundation; LG&E & KU Foundation; Humana Foundation; the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation; The Ginkgo Fund; Kosair for Kids; The Gheens Foundation; Brooke Brown Barzun Foundation; and its founding partners Metro Louisville; Donors Forum of Kentuckiana; Metro United Way; individual; and corporate sponsors.
