The Ford Foundation has announced that Heather Gerken will take over as its 11th president starting in November 2025. Currently serving as the dean of Yale Law School, Gerken is widely recognized for her expertise in constitutional law and democracy. She succeeds Darren Walker, who has held the position for over a decade and significantly influenced the foundation’s mission, focusing on reducing inequality and supporting social justice initiatives.
Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, the chair of the board of trustees, highlighted Gerken’s extensive experience in both the philanthropic and legal sectors, which he believes will enhance the foundation’s operations and grant making. Paula Moreno, a member of the presidential search committee, commended Gerken for her intellect and inclusive leadership, expressing optimism that she will inspire transformative changes aligned with the Ford Foundation’s values of democracy and equality.
Under Gerken’s leadership at Yale Law School, she implemented initiatives to reduce economic barriers associated with legal education. Notably, she introduced full-tuition scholarships for low-income students and significantly increased the representation of veteran students from 1% to 10%. Gerken also championed reforms related to law school rankings, garnering concern over how these rankings affected support for public interest careers and recruitment from working-class backgrounds.
Gerken founded the innovative San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project Clinic at Yale, allowing students to partner with city attorneys on impactful legal cases. The clinic has achieved notable successes, including a multimillion-dollar settlement in opioid litigation and contributing to the historic legalization of same-sex marriage in California.
In her words, Gerken expressed honor in joining the Ford Foundation and looked forward to advancing its mission of justice and democracy. Her appointment follows a comprehensive search initiated by the board of trustees after Walker announced his departure.
Before her tenure at Yale, Gerken was a professor at Harvard Law School and engaged in litigation at Jenner & Block, specializing in voting rights. She has also clerked for Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter. Gerken holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
With an endowment of $16 billion, the Ford Foundation has played a significant role for nearly 90 years in advocating for justice and social change on a global scale. Gerken’s upcoming leadership marks a hopeful transition for the foundation, aiming to enhance its impact in addressing societal inequalities and fostering democracy worldwide.