Darren Walker Biography And Wiki
Darren Walker, born on August 28, 1959, in Lafayette, Louisiana, is the 10th president of the Ford Foundation, a role he has held since 2013. The Ford Foundation is a $16 billion international social justice philanthropy, with a mission to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
Walker’s Age And Birthday
Darren Walker was born on August 28, 1959, in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States. Currently Walker is 64 years old.
Darren’s Height
Darren Walker towers at a height of 6 feet 6 inches tall approximately.
Wife
Walker, was openly a gay and he had a partner named David Beitzel for 26 years. David Beitzel passed away in 2019 due to heart failure.
Darren’s Educational Background
Darren Walker started his education in public schools and was part of the first group of children to join the Head Start program in 1965. This program helps prepare young children from low-income families for school. He went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees, graduating in 1982 and then getting his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1986. Walker’s education played a big role in his successful career in law, investment banking, and later, in philanthropy, where he has worked to support social justice and the arts.
Career
Walker’s illustrious career began in 1986 at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, an international law firm where he specialized in international law and finance. His ambition and expertise then led him to Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in 1988, further developing his skills in finance. Walker’s journey in philanthropy began at the Rockefeller Foundation, where he was vice president. He significantly contributed to its mission before joining the Ford Foundation in March 2010 as vice president of Education, Creativity and Free Expression, overseeing over $150 million in annual grants.
In June 2013, Walker’s career took a pivotal turn when he became the president of the Ford Foundation, one of the world’s most influential social justice philanthropies with a $16 billion endowment. Under his leadership, the foundation focuses on fighting inequality in all its forms, and he has been instrumental in directing its global efforts across the United States and ten other regions worldwide. His tenure at the Ford Foundation has been marked by innovative approaches to philanthropy, including the notable issuance of a $1 billion social bond in 2020 to stabilize non-profit organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salary
Darren Walker, serving as the President of the Ford Foundation, had a total compensation of $1.1 million in 2018. His salary reflects the significant responsibilities associated with leading one of the world’s largest foundations, dedicated to social justice philanthropy.
Net Worth
Darren Walker, the President of the Ford Foundation, has an estimated net worth of $15 million as of 2024.
