Ford Foundation Strengthens Leadership with New Key Appointments in Special Initiatives
The Ford Foundation has unveiled a significant leadership shift, featuring the promotion of Bess Rothenberg to deputy vice president of the Office of Strategy and Impact (OSI) and the appointment of Victoria Dunning as program director for the Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) initiative. This initiative represents an ambitious undertaking, having a 12-year commitment with a budget of $2 billion that aims to bolster organizations and networks through adaptable funding and institutional enhancement.
Sarita Gupta, vice president of U.S. Programs at the Ford Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm regarding Rothenberg's and Dunning's contributions, stating that they embody the comprehensive leadership qualities integral to the Foundation’s mission. She emphasized the organization’s dedication to creating a more just and equitable world, a vision that Rothenberg and Dunning will continue to further in their new roles.
Rothenberg has been with the Ford Foundation since 2016, when she took charge as the first director of the Office of Strategy and Learning (OSL). Her pivotal role encompassed collaborations across the Foundation’s 11 global offices, where she intensified Ford’s educational capabilities by focusing on program strategy, evaluation methods, and the overall enhancement of grantmaking operations to adequately address grantee requirements.
In her acceptance of the new position, Rothenberg articulated her excitement about collaborating with diverse teams at the Foundation. She noted that initiatives like BUILD and the Ford Global Fellowship, along with OSL, have significantly refined the Foundation's operations on a worldwide scale.
Prior to her tenure at the Ford Foundation, Rothenberg amassed considerable experience in various roles, including serving as deputy director of research and evaluation at Wellspring Advisors, a senior program officer focusing on Africa at the International Women’s Health Coalition, and as an associate director of grants for the American Jewish World Service. Moreover, she has previously held academic positions at Clemson University and Columbia University, enriching her extensive professional background. Rothenberg holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Virginia and has also been recognized as a Fulbright doctoral fellow in Berlin, Germany.
Victoria Dunning, in her new capacity as BUILD director, focuses on trust-based grantmaking practices to fortify the organizational resilience of grantees. She initiated her journey with the BUILD team as a program officer in 2017, emphasizing the team’s commitment to centering grantee needs, thereby equipping nonprofits to confront upcoming challenges effectively.
Before joining the Ford Foundation, Dunning played a pivotal role as executive vice president at the Global Fund for Children, fostering financial and capacity-building assistance to grassroots organizations worldwide. Her career also includes significant engagements with the United Nations Foundation, the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, as well as in the USAID Tanzania program.
Dunning is not only recognized for her professional expertise but also active in the philanthropic community, currently serving on the executive committee for Edible Schoolyard NYC. She possesses a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and a master’s in public health from Columbia University, equipping her to navigate complex health and wellness initiatives within philanthropic frameworks.
The Ford Foundation stands as an independent entity dedicated to mitigating inequality and fostering a future led by justice. With over 85 years of commitment to championing social change, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to promote democratic values, alleviate poverty and injustice, and enhance human potential on a broad scale. With an endowment of $16 billion, the Ford Foundation operates from its headquarters in New York, complemented by ten regional offices around the globe, including locations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. As the Foundation continues to evolve through strategic leadership appointments, it looks poised for impactful progress in philanthropic endeavors pushing towards a more equitable society.
Sarita Gupta, vice president of U.S. Programs at the Ford Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm regarding Rothenberg's and Dunning's contributions, stating that they embody the comprehensive leadership qualities integral to the Foundation’s mission. She emphasized the organization’s dedication to creating a more just and equitable world, a vision that Rothenberg and Dunning will continue to further in their new roles.
Rothenberg has been with the Ford Foundation since 2016, when she took charge as the first director of the Office of Strategy and Learning (OSL). Her pivotal role encompassed collaborations across the Foundation’s 11 global offices, where she intensified Ford’s educational capabilities by focusing on program strategy, evaluation methods, and the overall enhancement of grantmaking operations to adequately address grantee requirements.
In her acceptance of the new position, Rothenberg articulated her excitement about collaborating with diverse teams at the Foundation. She noted that initiatives like BUILD and the Ford Global Fellowship, along with OSL, have significantly refined the Foundation's operations on a worldwide scale.
Prior to her tenure at the Ford Foundation, Rothenberg amassed considerable experience in various roles, including serving as deputy director of research and evaluation at Wellspring Advisors, a senior program officer focusing on Africa at the International Women’s Health Coalition, and as an associate director of grants for the American Jewish World Service. Moreover, she has previously held academic positions at Clemson University and Columbia University, enriching her extensive professional background. Rothenberg holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Virginia and has also been recognized as a Fulbright doctoral fellow in Berlin, Germany.
Victoria Dunning, in her new capacity as BUILD director, focuses on trust-based grantmaking practices to fortify the organizational resilience of grantees. She initiated her journey with the BUILD team as a program officer in 2017, emphasizing the team’s commitment to centering grantee needs, thereby equipping nonprofits to confront upcoming challenges effectively.
Before joining the Ford Foundation, Dunning played a pivotal role as executive vice president at the Global Fund for Children, fostering financial and capacity-building assistance to grassroots organizations worldwide. Her career also includes significant engagements with the United Nations Foundation, the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, as well as in the USAID Tanzania program.
Dunning is not only recognized for her professional expertise but also active in the philanthropic community, currently serving on the executive committee for Edible Schoolyard NYC. She possesses a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and a master’s in public health from Columbia University, equipping her to navigate complex health and wellness initiatives within philanthropic frameworks.
The Ford Foundation stands as an independent entity dedicated to mitigating inequality and fostering a future led by justice. With over 85 years of commitment to championing social change, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to promote democratic values, alleviate poverty and injustice, and enhance human potential on a broad scale. With an endowment of $16 billion, the Ford Foundation operates from its headquarters in New York, complemented by ten regional offices around the globe, including locations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. As the Foundation continues to evolve through strategic leadership appointments, it looks poised for impactful progress in philanthropic endeavors pushing towards a more equitable society.
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