Latest news with #FordFoundation
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Yale law dean departs to lead Ford Foundation
July 1 (Reuters) - Yale Law Dean Heather Gerken is leaving that post to become the president of the Ford Foundation in November, the foundation announced Tuesday. In her new role, Gerken will head up one of the largest and most high-profile philanthropies with a $16 billion endowment to "address inequality and build a future grounded in justice" according to its website. Gerken will succeed outgoing Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, who said in July 2024 that he would step down in 2025 after more than a decade leading the organization, which was founded by auto magnate Henry Ford's son Edsel Ford in 1936. Gerken, who has led No.1-ranked Yale Law School since 2017, was not available for an interview on Tuesday but said in a prepared statement that she would work to 'protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone.' A Yale law spokesperson said an interim dean has not yet been named. Gerken's current five-year term as dean was set to end in 2027. A number of elite law schools have seen leadership changes in recent weeks. On Monday, Harvard University elevated, opens new tab John Goldberg to permanent dean, after serving as interim dean since March of 2024. Monday also marked William Treanor's last day as dean of No. 14-ranked Georgetown University Law Center after 15 years in that post. Professor Joshua Teitelbaum is serving as interim dean. On Tuesday, longtime University of Chicago law professor Adam Chilton officially became dean of that No. 3-ranked school, while former Georgetown law professor Neel Sukhatme became dean of the No. 8-ranked University of Michigan Law School. Also on Tuesday, former Arizona State law professor Stephanie Lindquist became dean of the No. 14-ranked Washington University in Saint Louis School of Law. Law school deanships typically transition over the summer, though it's unclear why an unusually high number of top law school leaders are stepping down this year. The departures come at a time when colleges and universities are under added financial pressures and uncertainty over international students, and face more government scrutiny over diversity and claims of campus antisemitism. Gerken's influence has gone beyond Yale Law. In 2022 she spearheaded what became a widespread boycott of U.S. News and World Report's law school rankings, saying the rankings incentivized schools to direct financial aid to applicants with high test scores instead of those most in need. The boycott spurred U.S. News to overhaul its rankings methodology. Gerken also initiated several programs to make law school more accessible and affordable, including eliminating tuition for low-income students. The law schools at Stanford and Harvard followed suit. But her time at the school has not been free of controversy. Professor Jed Rubenfeld was accused of sexual misconduct, which he denied, during her tenure. She oversaw an investigation into his conduct, which resulted in his suspension for two years in 2020. Rubenfeld did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yale Law also came under criticism in 2022 after some students protested a conservative speaker on campus, prompting two federal judges to say they would not hire any clerks from the school. Read more: Yale Law says it will cover tuition for low-income students 2nd Trump-appointed judge publicly says she will not hire Yale clerks
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Yale's law school dean will be the Ford Foundation's new president
The Ford Foundation has settled on its next leader. Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken will succeed Darren Walker as the president of one of the largest U.S. charitable organizations, the Ford Foundation announced Monday. A leading expert on constitutional law and democracy, Gerken takes the helm of its $16 billion endowment as the philanthropic sector navigates challenges to the tax-exempt status of nonprofits opposed by President Donald Trump 's administration and its sweeping orders targeting trillions of dollars in federal funding for civil society groups. 'I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Ford staff and the board of trustees to protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone," Gerken said in a statement. Gerken brings an extensive legal background that includes voting rights experience at Washington, DC law firm Jenner & Block and clerkships with Supreme Court justices. The Ford Foundation noted that she prioritized increasing access for underrepresented students as the dean of Yale Law School. The American Bar Association appointed her to a task force that aimed to fortify democracy amid threats to election processes. She is also a trustee of Princeton University, where she completed her bachelor's degree, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Her tenure begins in November, making good on Walker's promise to exit the stage by the end of 2025. She called it a 'profound honor' to build upon the legacy of those who preceded her, 'particularly the astonishing Darren Walker.' Since 2013, Walker has focused the foundation's mission around social justice and overseen major investments in gender equity and disability rights. 'Her experience and dedication to philanthropy and the field of law will undoubtedly propel the foundation's mission forward," Walker said in a statement. The Ford Foundation was created in 1936 by the brothers Henry and Edsel Ford, pioneers of the automobile, and funded with stock in the Ford company. It supported civil rights litigation starting in the late 1960s and helped seed the field of public interest law in the United States. Then-Sen. J.D. Vance called out the Ford Foundation specifically for supporting progressive causes back before he became vice president, accusing officials of using charitable funds for partisan ends. Anticipation over who might shape the influential foundation's priorities only grew in recent months as the Trump administration took aim at the very issues of inequality that Walker had championed. The board of trustees and executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associated began looking for Walker's replacement after he announced his departure last July, according to the Ford Foundation. Walker was an internal promotion at Ford who honed his financial skills and knowledge of the inner workings of philanthropy at the Abyssinian Development Corp. and Rockefeller Foundation, while Gerken is an outside hire from the world of academia. Politico featured her in a 2017 list of the people behind ideas shaping American politics. The magazine highlighted her long push for 'progressive federalism,' or the idea that democracies should empower local governments to pursue innovative social reforms. Support for Gerken's selection came Monday from scholars, nonprofit leaders and legal professionals who, in statements shared by the Ford Foundation, touted her clear-eyed approach to upholding civil rights, sharp thinking around safeguarding democratic norms and ability to find common ground. 'In a moment when constitutional democracy needs urgent attention and engagement, I cannot imagine a better president for the Ford Foundation,' said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Foundation selects Yale dean and democracy scholar Heather Gerken to succeed Darren Walker
NEW YORK (AP) — The Ford Foundation has settled on its next leader. Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken will succeed Darren Walker as the president of one of the largest U.S. charitable organizations, the Ford Foundation announced Monday. A leading expert on constitutional law and democracy, Gerken takes the helm of its $16 billion endowment as the philanthropic sector navigates challenges to the tax-exempt status of nonprofits opposed by President Donald Trump's administration and its sweeping orders targeting trillions of dollars in federal funding for civil society groups. 'I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Ford staff and the board of trustees to protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone," Gerken said in a statement. Gerken brings an extensive legal background that includes voting rights experience at Washington, DC law firm Jenner & Block and clerkships with Supreme Court justices. The Ford Foundation noted that she prioritized increasing access for underrepresented students as the dean of Yale Law School. She is also a trustee of Princeton University, where she completed her bachelor's degree, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Her tenure begins in November, making good on Walker's promise last year to exit the stage by the end of 2025. She called it a 'profound honor' to build upon the legacy of those who preceded her, 'particularly the astonishing Darren Walker.' Since 2013, Walker has focused the foundation's mission around social justice and overseen major investments in gender equity and disability rights. 'Her experience and dedication to philanthropy and the field of law will undoubtedly propel the foundation's mission forward," Walker said in a statement. The Ford Foundation was created in 1936 by the brothers Henry and Edsel Ford, pioneers of the automobile, and funded with stock in the Ford company. It supported civil rights litigation starting in the late 1960s and helped seed the field of public interest law in the United States. Before becoming vice president, then-Sen. J.D. Vance called out the Ford Foundation specifically for supporting progressive causes and accused them of using charitable funds for partisan ends. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Washington Post
a day ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Ford Foundation selects Yale dean and democracy scholar Heather Gerken to succeed Darren Walker
NEW YORK — The Ford Foundation has settled on its next leader. Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken will succeed Darren Walker as the president of one of the largest U.S. charitable organizations, the Ford Foundation announced Monday. A leading expert on constitutional law and democracy, Gerken takes the helm of its $16 billion endowment as the philanthropic sector navigates challenges to the tax-exempt status of nonprofits opposed by President Donald Trump's administration and its sweeping orders targeting trillions of dollars in federal funding for civil society groups. 'I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Ford staff and the board of trustees to protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone,' Gerken said in a statement. Gerken brings an extensive legal background that includes voting rights experience at Washington, DC law firm Jenner & Block and clerkships with Supreme Court justices. The Ford Foundation noted that she prioritized increasing access for underrepresented students as the dean of Yale Law School. She is also a trustee of Princeton University, where she completed her bachelor's degree, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Her tenure begins in November, making good on Walker's promise last year to exit the stage by the end of 2025. She called it a 'profound honor' to build upon the legacy of those who preceded her, 'particularly the astonishing Darren Walker.' Since 2013, Walker has focused the foundation's mission around social justice and overseen major investments in gender equity and disability rights. 'Her experience and dedication to philanthropy and the field of law will undoubtedly propel the foundation's mission forward,' Walker said in a statement. The Ford Foundation was created in 1936 by the brothers Henry and Edsel Ford, pioneers of the automobile, and funded with stock in the Ford company. It supported civil rights litigation starting in the late 1960s and helped seed the field of public interest law in the United States. Before becoming vice president, then-Sen. J.D. Vance called out the Ford Foundation specifically for supporting progressive causes and accused them of using charitable funds for partisan ends. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit .
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Ford Foundation selects Yale dean and democracy scholar Heather Gerken to succeed Darren Walker
NEW YORK (AP) — The Ford Foundation has settled on its next leader. Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken will succeed Darren Walker as the president of one of the largest U.S. charitable organizations, the Ford Foundation announced Monday. A leading expert on constitutional law and democracy, Gerken takes the helm of its $16 billion endowment as the philanthropic sector navigates challenges to the tax-exempt status of nonprofits opposed by President Donald Trump's administration and its sweeping orders targeting trillions of dollars in federal funding for civil society groups. 'I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Ford staff and the board of trustees to protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone,' Gerken said in a statement. Gerken brings an extensive legal background that includes voting rights experience at Washington, DC law firm Jenner & Block and clerkships with Supreme Court justices. The Ford Foundation noted that she prioritized increasing access for underrepresented students as the dean of Yale Law School. She is also a trustee of Princeton University, where she completed her bachelor's degree, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Her tenure begins in November, making good on Walker's promise last year to exit the stage by the end of 2025. She called it a 'profound honor' to build upon the legacy of those who preceded her, 'particularly the astonishing Darren Walker.' Since 2013, Walker has focused the foundation's mission around social justice and overseen major investments in gender equity and disability rights. 'Her experience and dedication to philanthropy and the field of law will undoubtedly propel the foundation's mission forward,' Walker said in a statement. The Ford Foundation was created in 1936 by the brothers Henry and Edsel Ford, pioneers of the automobile, and funded with stock in the Ford company. It supported civil rights litigation starting in the late 1960s and helped seed the field of public interest law in the United States. Before becoming vice president, then-Sen. J.D. Vance called out the Ford Foundation specifically for supporting progressive causes and accused them of using charitable funds for partisan ends. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
