The Ford Foundation has announced the election of Fatima Goss Graves to its board of trustees, marking a significant addition to the leadership of the global philanthropic organization. Ms. Goss Graves, who serves as the president and chief executive officer of the National Women's Law Center and president of the National Women's Law Center Action Fund, brings a wealth of experience in legal advocacy, gender justice, and systemic policy reform to the foundation's governing body.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Ford Foundation as it continues to navigate complex global challenges and address systemic inequality. With an endowment of $18 billion, the foundation's governance decisions carry substantial weight across the global philanthropic landscape.

Strategic Governance Expansion at the Ford Foundation

As a newly elected trustee, Ms. Goss Graves will join a distinguished group of international leaders responsible for steering the foundation's strategic direction. Ford Foundation trustees are elected by the board and serve six-year terms. In this capacity, they hold broad responsibilities that shape the foundation's operational and programmatic framework, including:

  • Setting broad policies relating to grantmaking and geographic focus
  • Overseeing the management of the foundation's $18 billion investment portfolio
  • Directing governance standards and professional guidelines
  • Overseeing independent audits to ensure transparency and accountability

The board of trustees is comprised of individuals from around the world, bringing diverse expertise from sectors such as higher education, business and finance, technology, law, government, civil society, and the nonprofit sector. The addition of Ms. Goss Graves reinforces the board's legal and advocacy capabilities, particularly in civil rights and gender equity.

A Career Dedicated to Gender Justice and Systemic Change

Ms. Goss Graves is a nationally recognized expert on gender justice, law, policy, and culture change. Throughout her career as an attorney, she has focused on advancing opportunities for women and girls, with a particular emphasis on supporting women and girls of color. Her advocacy work spans several critical areas:

  • Promoting income security and supporting COVID relief initiatives
  • Advancing equal pay and workplace justice
  • Protecting health and reproductive rights
  • Expanding access to education
  • Working to end sexual harassment and violence

Based in Washington D.C., Ms. Goss Graves is a graduate of UCLA and Yale Law School. Beyond her leadership at the National Women's Law Center, she serves on several other boards in advisory and governance capacities. Her extensive public engagement includes testifying on complex policy matters at both state and federal levels of government in the United States. She has also served as a prominent legal and social commentator across major media outlets, including CBS, MSNBC, BBC, CNN, PBS, NPR, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.

Leadership Perspectives on the Appointment

The leadership of the Ford Foundation has expressed strong enthusiasm for Ms. Goss Graves's election to the board. Ursula Burns, Chair of the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees, highlighted the strategic value of her appointment, stating:

"We are thrilled to welcome Fatima Goss Graves's perspective and expertise to the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees. Fatima's track record speaks for itself, her strategic vision, fearless advocacy, and proven ability to drive meaningful organizational and systemic change make her an invaluable addition to our Board of Trustees."

Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation, also emphasized the alignment between Ms. Goss Graves's career achievements and the foundation's long-term goals:

"Fatima Goss Graves possesses a sharp legal intellect, exceptional sector insight, and a steadfast dedication to justice. I could not be more excited to welcome her to the Board of Trustees. Across Fatima's career, her strategic vision and formidable advocacy have broadened pathways for communities everywhere, particularly women and girls of color. Her presence and insights will be invaluable as we enter the next chapter of the Ford Foundation."

In response to her election, Ms. Goss Graves expressed her commitment to the foundation's core mission:

"I am deeply honored to join the Board of Trustees and work alongside the Ford Foundation's extraordinary leadership. I have dedicated my career to ensuring that all people can live with safety, dignity, and full agency over their lives and that women and their families have what they need to flourish. I am eager to bring that same commitment to Ford's vital mission in the years ahead."

Philanthropic Impact and Global Reach

The Ford Foundation is an independent organization dedicated to addressing inequality and building a future grounded in justice. For 90 years, the foundation has supported visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide. Its mission is guided by several core principles:

  • Strengthening democratic values
  • Reducing poverty and injustice
  • Promoting international cooperation
  • Advancing human achievement

With its headquarters in New York, the foundation operates a global network that includes 10 regional offices located across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The diverse geographic focus of the foundation requires trustees to possess a sophisticated understanding of international dynamics and localized challenges. Ms. Goss Graves's background in policy advocacy and systemic change is expected to contribute significantly to the foundation's ongoing efforts to support marginalized communities globally.