History
Presidents
Luis A. Ubiñas, 2008-present
Ubiñas became the ninth president of the foundation in January 2008 following a national and international search. He previously served as a director at McKinsey & Company, where he led its Media Practice on the West Coast of the United States, advising Fortune 100 media, telecommunications and technology companies on major strategic and operating challenges. Mr. Ubiñas also has a distinguished record of leadership in the nonprofit sector, devoting much of his personal time and energy to working with nonprofits to accomplish their missions.
Susan V. Berresford, 1996-2007
Over a 38-year career at the foundation Berresford served in many roles, holding the title of executive vice president and COO before the trustees elected her president. She led the foundation to expand its work on HIV/AIDS, launched a groundbreaking international fellowships program, invested in higher education in Africa, founded a global center on post-conflict reconciliation, created major arts programs, supported research and rights in the field of human sexuality, broke ground on affordable mortgages for low-income families and emphasized excellence in the craft and governance of philanthropy.
Franklin Thomas, 1979-1996
Thomas joined the foundation from the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, where he was CEO. At Ford, he was deeply involved in anti-apartheid initiatives, and led the renewal of the foundation's work on urban poverty. He was responsible for major investment in human rights organizations, innovations in government, and the establishment of foundation programs in Russia, China and Vietnam.
McGeorge Bundy, 1966-1979
A former national security adviser, Bundy led the foundation during a period of enormous social change. Major initiatives under his leadership included broad support to civil rights organizations, urban redevelopment efforts, the creation of PBS, minority fellowships, U.S. energy policy, women's organizations and the launch of microfinance.
Henry T. Heald, 1956-1965
Heald resigned as president of New York University to join the foundation. He greatly expanded investment in higher education, including teacher training, distance learning, and improved facilities. He also led investment in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. During his presidency the foundation made major contributions in agriculture (the Green Revolution), legal aid for the poor and fellowships for the arts and humanities.
H. Rowan Gaither Jr., 1953-1956
Gaither was a respected California attorney who led the study committee that transformed the foundation under Henry Ford II. As president, Gaither expanded the foundation’s international programs to Indonesia, South Africa and Israel, and began work in higher education in the United States. He became chair of the board in 1956.
Paul G. Hoffman, 1950-1953
Prior to becoming president of the foundation, Hoffman was an executive of the Studebaker auto company and played a role in implementing the Marshall Plan in the late 1940s. During his presidency, Ford began its commitment to public media, launched its first fellowship programs, and opened its first international office in Delhi, India. Hoffman later headed the United Nations Development Program.
Henry Ford II, 1943-1950
The eldest son of Edsel Ford, Henry Ford II succeeded his father as president of both the Ford Motor Company and the Ford Foundation. With the bequests of his father, who died in 1943, and grandfather, who passed away in 1947, Henry II led the transformation of the foundation into the world’s largest philanthropy. He appointed a blue-ribbon panel to recommend enlarged programs for the foundation, commensurate with its resources. The resulting “Gaither Report” set out the fundamental ambitions and mission that still guide the foundation today. In 1950 Henry II became chairman of the foundation board and served as a trustee until 1976.
Edsel Ford (Founder), 1936-1943
President of the Ford Motor Company and son of company founder Henry Ford, Edsel Ford created the Ford Foundation in 1936 at the age of 43 to “receive and administer funds for scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare.” An auto visionary in his own right, he also had deep interest in the arts and humanities. He died seven years after creating the foundation, at age 49.
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