Gift pays tribute to the former Prudential chairman and CEO’s enduring legacy while advancing a $1 million challenge for the Alliance’s endowment.NEWARK, N.J. — August 20, 2026 — Branch Brook Park Alliance announced that Prudential Financial has made a generous $250,000 gift to honor the life and legacy of the late Arthur “Art” F. Ryan, former chairman and CEO of the company. The gift will be directed to the Alliance’s existing endowment, strengthening its ability to preserve and care for Essex County Branch Brook Park for generations to come.
“Art’s passing is a profound loss for New Jersey and particularly for all of us connected to Essex County Branch Brook Park,” said Barbara Bell Coleman, co-founder, founding president and emerita member of Branch Brook Park Alliance. “This generous gift from Prudential in Art’s memory is a fitting tribute to a remarkable leader and trusted advisor. It will help carry forward his legacy, his deep belief in responsible stewardship, and his understanding of the power of public spaces to enrich communities.” During his tenure at Prudential, Mr. Ryan helped shape the Park, one of New Jersey’s most important institutions, while deepening its commitment to Newark and the surrounding area. His leadership extended well beyond the business community. Through his civic engagement and philanthropy, Mr. Ryan supported this and other organizations that continue to improve lives throughout New Jersey. “Art’s vision, courage, and commitment to responsible stewardship helped shape Prudential into the company it is today, and his impact extended far beyond our walls through his dedication to Newark and communities across New Jersey,” said Andy Sullivan, chairman and CEO, Prudential Financial. “This gift honors Art’s remarkable legacy and the deep connection he and Pat had to Branch Brook Park, ensuring his belief in preserving public spaces for future generations continues to endure." Mr. Ryan’s connection to Essex County Branch Brook Park was especially meaningful. His late wife, Patricia E. “Pat” Ryan, co-founded Branch Brook Park Alliance in 1999 with Barbara Bell Coleman and Patricia A. Chambers. Together, the three founding board members shared a vision for restoring, preserving, and caring for the park for generations to come. Following Pat’s passing, Art continued supporting the mission she helped establish as an advisor and significant supporter of Branch Brook Park Alliance. In his advisory role, he was deeply engaged in developing the strategy for growing the endowment and establishing a lasting source of support for the preservation and care of the park. In 2012, the Park’s historic Prudential Lion statues were affectionately nicknamed “Art” and “Pat” in recognition of their dedication, a marker of their enduring legacy of generosity, stewardship, and service to the community. Today’s $250,000 memorial gift builds upon Prudential’s historic support of Branch Brook Park Alliance. In 2021, the Prudential Foundation became the first corporate foundation to provide $1 million in support of the organization’s endowment. At that same time, an anonymous donor committed an additional $1 million as a challenge to encourage others to invest in the park’s future. Prudential’s latest gift advances the Alliance toward completing that challenge. The Alliance is deeply grateful for the generosity of Prudential and the Prudential Foundation, the anonymous challenge donor, and every individual and organization that has invested in the park’s future. Friends, colleagues, and community members are invited to build upon this support and help the Alliance reach its final goal. Gifts of any amount will help Branch Brook Park Alliance secure the future stewardship of Essex County Branch Brook Park. To make a gift in memory of Arthur F. Ryan, visit www.branchbrookpark.org/donate. About Branch Brook Park Alliance Branch Brook Park Alliance is a public-private partnership serving as the conservancy for Essex County Branch Brook Park. Founded in 1999, the Alliance works in partnership with Essex County to preserve, enhance, and sustain the park’s historic landscape while ensuring that it remains a vibrant, welcoming, and equitable resource for all. Located in Newark and Belleville, Essex County Branch Brook Park is recognized as the nation’s first county park and is home to one of the country’s most celebrated collections of flowering cherry blossom trees. About Prudential Financial Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2025, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for 150 years. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com. Media Contact Thomas B. Dougherty, Jr. President & CEO, Branch Brook Park Alliance [email protected] (973) 969-1189 |
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