Press Releases

Luis Ubiñas Becomes President of the Ford Foundation

NEW YORK, 7 January 2008—Luis A. Ubiñas today became the ninth president of the Ford Foundation, succeeding Susan V. Berresford as head of the second largest philanthropy in the United States.

Mr. Ubiñas arrives at the foundation after 18 years with McKinsey & Company, most recently as a director, where he led McKinsey's media practice on the West Coast of the United States, advising Fortune 100 media, telecommunications and technology companies on major strategic and operational challenges.

"We are delighted to have found in Luis a leader who shares our commitment to the mission and values of the Ford Foundation, who will provide bold leadership to our grant making and continue to foster an environment of creativity and innovation for our staff," said Kathryn S. Fuller, chair of the Board of Trustees. "His life and service in business and nonprofit organizations reflect a deep appreciation of the importance of economic opportunity, access to education, and social justice. He will bring both vision and practical experience to the foundation."

In addition to his work at McKinsey, Mr. Ubiñas has devoted much of his career to helping nonprofits accomplish their missions. He has advised senior nonprofit managers and serves on boards of several regional and national organizations, including Leadership Education and Development (LEAD), the United Way of the Bay Area, the Steppingstone Foundation and The After School for All Partnership.

Raised in the South Bronx, Mr. Ubiñas studied at Harvard College and received his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar.

Mr. Ubiñas was elected by the foundation's Board of Trustees in August 2007 following an extensive national and international search that began when Ms. Berresford announced plans to retire after 38 years of service to the institution, the last 12 as president.

"The foundation's impressive record of achievement has demonstrated time and again that this institution has the courage of its convictions," Mr. Ubiñas said. "I am deeply committed to the mission of the Ford Foundation and am honored to become part of its legacy."

Read a message from Luis Ubiñas.

Photo:
Schecter Lee

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has been a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide, guided by its goals of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia.