Ford Foundation Executive and Leadership Team

Sam Smith, the Chief Executive Officer at Ford Foundation, directs the overarching strategy and operational framework for the organization. This leadership position involves setting the vision for grant-making initiatives and ensuring alignment with the foundation's mission to support families in need. Smith oversees the strategic allocation of resources, guiding the foundation's efforts to maximize community impact. The Chief Executive Officer's role is critical in fostering partnerships and driving the organization's growth and sustainability. By championing innovative approaches to philanthropy, Sam Smith ensures the foundation remains at the forefront of addressing critical social issues and enhancing the well-being of the communities it serves. This executive's focus extends to shaping the foundation's public presence and advocating for its core values.

Mai-Anh Fox, the Chief Financial Officer at Ford Foundation, manages the organization's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. This role encompasses overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment management, to ensure the foundation's long-term sustainability and effective grant distribution. Fox is responsible for financial reporting and compliance, maintaining transparency and accountability in all fiscal matters. The Chief Financial Officer's expertise is vital in optimizing financial resources to support the foundation's mission of aiding families in need. By implementing robust financial controls and driving fiscal efficiency, Mai-Anh Fox ensures that capital is deployed effectively to achieve maximum social impact. This executive's purview includes managing relationships with financial institutions and auditors.

Loraine Priestleysmith, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Secretary at Ford Foundation, holds multifaceted responsibilities critical to the foundation's governance and financial operations. This executive oversees treasury functions, ensuring the sound management of the foundation's assets and liabilities, and acts as the primary custodian of its financial resources. Priestleysmith also manages corporate secretarial duties, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements and facilitating board communications. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Secretary's role is integral to maintaining the financial integrity and operational compliance of the foundation. By directing treasury activities and upholding governance standards, Loraine Priestleysmith supports the foundation's mission to provide essential aid to families in need and drive community betterment.

Martin Abregu, the Vice- President at Ford Foundation, contributes significantly to the strategic direction and operational execution of the foundation's programs. This leadership role involves overseeing specific programmatic areas, ensuring that grant-making activities effectively address the needs of the community and support families. Abregu's responsibilities include developing and implementing strategies that foster social impact and drive positive change. The Vice- President's expertise is essential in identifying opportunities for growth and enhancing the foundation's reach. By guiding program development and managing key relationships, Martin Abregu ensures the foundation's resources are utilized to their fullest potential in fulfilling its mission. This executive's focus is on advancing the foundation's philanthropic objectives.

Juliet Mureriwa, the Grants & Program Officer & President, Office of at Ford Foundation, spearheads critical grant-making initiatives and oversees the strategic direction of specific program areas. This executive is responsible for identifying impactful projects, conducting due diligence on potential grantees, and managing the lifecycle of grants to ensure they align with the foundation's objectives of supporting families and communities. Mureriwa's role involves fostering strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness of philanthropic investments. The Grants & Program Officer & President, Office of's leadership ensures that the foundation's resources are deployed strategically to address pressing social needs. By guiding program development and grant execution, Juliet Mureriwa drives tangible positive outcomes and reinforces the foundation's commitment to social betterment.

Taara Rangarajan, the Deputy Vice President and Chief of Staff at Ford Foundation, provides critical support to the executive leadership, ensuring operational efficiency and strategic alignment across departments. This role involves managing key initiatives, facilitating communication between leadership and staff, and overseeing special projects that advance the foundation's mission. Rangarajan's responsibilities include streamlining internal processes and enhancing the effectiveness of the foundation's grant-making operations. The Deputy Vice President and Chief of Staff plays a pivotal part in translating strategic objectives into actionable plans. By coordinating efforts and driving project execution, Taara Rangarajan ensures that the foundation effectively serves families in need and achieves its philanthropic goals. This executive's focus is on optimizing organizational performance.

Holly Raub, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Ford Foundation, directs the comprehensive administrative functions that support the foundation's operational infrastructure. This executive oversees human resources, information technology, facilities management, and other essential services, ensuring a seamless and efficient working environment. Raub's leadership is crucial for maintaining organizational effectiveness and enabling staff to focus on the core mission of supporting families in need. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) plays a key part in developing and implementing policies that promote a productive and compliant workplace. By optimizing administrative processes and managing resources effectively, Holly Raub ensures the foundation operates with maximum efficiency and integrity, thereby enhancing its capacity to deliver on its philanthropic commitments.