NEW YORK—July 23, 2007—The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science announced that Pennie Abramson of Potomac, MD, and Fisher Island, FL, will assume the office of President of the American Committee. She succeeds Norman D. Cohen.
"Norman Cohen has served the American Committee and the Weizmann Institute in different capacities for over three decades. His help has been crucial to our success and is simply immeasurable,” Robert B. Machinist, American Committee Chairman, said. “Now, I am delighted that Pennie has accepted the position of President. She brings commitment, energy, and real organizational skills to our leadership team.”
Pennie Abramson has dedicated her time and energy to the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science for 25 years. She is a longstanding member of the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee and has also chaired the American Committee’s Washington, D.C. Region. Along with her husband, Gary Abramson, she is a member of the President’s Circle. Ms. Abramson recently concluded her tenure as Vice-Chair of National Programs, where she led U.S. donor program initiatives that helped raise awareness and significant support for the Institute.
Pennie Abramson’s philanthropic interests are wide-ranging. She is the current Chairperson of the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation, and is an active member of the Fisher Island Philanthropic Foundation, which supports children’s charities based in Miami. Ms. Abramson is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Friends of Cancer Research and has served on the boards of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Imagination Station. She has acted as Chair of the Women’s Division for State of Israel Bonds and has lent valuable leadership support to the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia Society of America. Ms. Abramson has been married to Gary for 37 years. They have three children and one grandchild.
In her role as President, Ms. Abramson will advocate for the Weizmann Institute of Science and advance its mission of Science for the Benefit of Humanity. She will particularly focus her efforts on representing the Weizmann Institute to major donors around the country.
Outgoing President Norman Cohen has been involved with the Weizmann Institute since 1970, when he endowed the Norman D. Cohen Chair in Computer Science. Since then, he has filled several vital leadership roles, including Chairman of the American Committee and International Deputy Chairman of the Weizmann Institute. He is a member of the President’s Circle, an International Governor, and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Committee’s Board of Directors. In 1990, the Weizmann Institute awarded him an Honorary Doctorate. Professionally, Mr. Cohen is one of the founders of Lechmere Sales, a chain of New England-based retail stores. He resides in both New York and Palm Beach. The Weizmann Institute has benefited greatly from his counsel, guidance, business acumen, and loyalty.
The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS), founded in 1944, develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, one of the world's premier scientific research institutions. The Weizmann Institute is a center of multidisciplinary scientific research and graduate study, addressing crucial problems in medicine and health, technology, energy, agriculture, and the environment. For additional information, please visit www.weizmann-usa.org.
