Ford Foundation’s outgoing president joins the board of Obama Foundation

Darren Walker s post-Ford Foundation future is starting to take shape as the outgoing president is now set to join The Obama Foundation s board of directors The Obama Foundation the Chicago-based nonprofit of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama focused on encouraging operational involvement in democracy through initiatives like the My Brother s Keeper Alliance and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps reported Monday that Walker would join the board on Nov Darren Walker is an outstanding example of what it means to lead with purpose in philanthropy President Obama explained in a announcement Darren s work to challenge long-held assumptions stand up to injustice and build unlikely partnerships aligns perfectly with the mission of the Obama Foundation His experience and insight will sharpen our thinking and deepen our impact as we help the next generation of leaders change their world for the better Walker who has led the Ford Foundation since and oversaw major investments in gender equity and disability rights is one of philanthropy s best-known leaders He has been one of Rolling Stone s People Shaping the Future and Time s The majority Influential People Joining The Obama Foundation Board feels like coming home to everything I believe about leadership and change Walker announced in a message I believe deeply in the power of individuals to change the world and I m honored to work with President and Mrs Obama to help empower and promotion the next generation of changemakers In addition to his new role at the Obama Foundation Walker has already been named president of the National Gallery of Art In September The Idea of America Reflections on Inequality Democracy and the Values We Share a collection of his essays will be published The Ford Foundation has selected Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken a leading expert on constitutional law and democracy to succeed Darren Walker as its president Marty Nesbitt chairman of the Obama Foundation s board of directors commented Walker will help the nonprofit stick to its mission Darren brings a rare combination of visionary thinking and practical know-how that will strengthen our governance and sharpen our impact he reported His deep experience leading through complexity and bringing diverse voices to the table will be an invaluable asset as we guide the foundation into its next chapter and open the Obama Presidential Center next year Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives sponsorship 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 https apnews com hub philanthropy Source