Ford Foundation Appoints Hilary Pennington as Executive Vice President
The Ford Foundation today announced the appointment of Hilary Pennington as its first executive vice president, a role in which she will oversee all of the foundation's programs in the US and globally. Previously, Pennington served as vice president for the foundation's programming on Education, Creativity, and Free Expression.
As executive vice president, Pennington will work closely with the foundation's president, Darren Walker, and two program vice presidents, Martín Abregú and Xavier Briggs, to better align grant making across all program areas and regional offices. The creation of this position is the latest step in the foundation's move to increase efficiency and ensure its programs are designed to achieve collective impact.
"Hilary is exceptionally well-suited to lead our programming as we focus on addressing the systems and forces that drive inequality," said Walker. "Her strategic vision, deep experience, and calm and effective management style are invaluable assets for the Ford Foundation. I am confident that this new leadership role—with Hilary in it—will make the foundation more effective at serving the organizations on the frontlines of social change."
Pennington joined the Ford Foundation in 2013 as a program vice president, leading the foundation's work on arts and culture, documentary filmmaking, journalism, and youth leadership. She has also led its efforts to build and strengthen the broader field of philanthropy. During this time, she helped launch the foundation's BUILD initiative, a five-year $5 billion investment in the long-term capacity and sustainability of up to 300 social justice organizations around the world. Pennington also led the foundation's work in Africa and the Middle East. As a child, witnessing the inequality of apartheid in her father's home country of South Africa helped shape her lifelong passion for social justice...