Ford Foundation's President Says She'll Retire in 2008

By Ian Wilhelm

The president of the Ford Foundation, Susan V. Berresford, announced today that she will retire in two years after leading the organization since 1996.

According to the foundation, Ms. Berresford informed Ford's staff members this morning of her decision.

"I know it is time for a new stage in my life, one that includes more time for my family," she said in a statement.

The foundation said its Board of Trustees will organize a committee in January to search for her replacement.

Ms. Berresford, who will turn 65 years old in 2008, joined Ford in 1970 as a researcher and steadily climbed the ranks, serving as vice president for programs and as Ford's chief operating officer before becoming president.

During Ms. Berresford's time as its leader, the foundation, based in New York, is credited with increasing its grant making to antipoverty work, human rights, and conflict resolution. For example, in 2000 it made its largest grant in its 72-year history — $330-million — to help educate and train thousands of future leaders from developing countries.

In addition, the foundation's endowment has swelled from $7.7-billion when Ms. Berresford became president to $11.6-billion as of the end of last year, making it the nation's second-largest grant maker.

Ms. Berresford said one of her proudest accomplishments has been steering the foundation's effort to provide much-needed assistance after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.

"I am proud that, in difficult times, we quickly provided support to people in distress," she said.

But her tenure has not been without controversy.

In 2003, for example, after a handful of Jewish organizations accused Ford of supporting Palestinian groups that oppose Israel, Ford issued requirements that its grantees sign a letter saying they would steer clear of all groups or individuals that espouse bigotry or violence. Ford's move was criticized by some charities and civil-liberties groups, which argued the pledge was overly restrictive.

Ms. Berresford also has dealt with an inquiry by the Michigan attorney general's office. (The fund is incorporated in Michigan and therefore its state attorney general oversees its activities.) The attorney general has not accused the fund of any wrongdoing, but has, among other things, raised questions about whether the "six-figure" salaries of some Ford officials are excessive.

Ms. Berresford, for example, earned $702,689 last year. Foundation officials have said the compensation is justified given the scope and complexity of the foundation's programs, which include operating more than a dozen offices around the world.

Ms. Berresford's decision comes as a number of the wealthiest foundations in the United States have replaced their top leadership during the last few years. Since 2003, six of the 10 wealthiest foundations, including Ford, have either hired new chief executives or are looking for new ones.The trend is attributed to demographic trends as many chief executives, like Ms. Berresford, are approaching retirement age.