 Deborah Leff, a trial lawyer for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, served as president of the organization from 1992 to 1999, and was succeeded by Paula DiPerna, named president in 1999.DiPerna was succeeded in 2002 by Ellen Alberding, the organization's seventh president.Former U.S. President Barack Obama served on the foundation's board of directors from 1994 through 2002.