Philanthropy to Policy: The Next Chapter for Public Service Leadership

Almost one year ago, I commented on a significant transition in the philanthropic world: Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, announced he would step down after a transformational tenure. Now, with the appointment of constitutional law scholar Heather Gerken as his successor, Ford enters a new era. In the news at the same time, NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service named Polly Trottenberg—former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation and NYC Transportation Commissioner—its new dean.

Both appointments are noteworthy in their own right. Together, they represent something larger: a powerful signal about the future of civic leadership across higher education and the nonprofit sectors. Gerken and Trottenberg are seasoned, principled leaders with careers rooted in democratic integrity, infrastructure equity, and institutional reform. Their new roles reflect a continued commitment by two major institutions to values-based, impact-driven public leadership.

At the Ford Foundation, Gerken brings a legal mind sharpened by decades of work on voting rights, constitutional law, and academic innovation. As dean of Yale Law School, she expanded access to legal education through full-tuition scholarships for low-income students, championed first-generation and veteran inclusion, and challenged legacy systems like the U.S. News law school rankings. Her scholarly work on federalism and civic institutions has long argued for strengthening democracy from the inside out—a mission that aligns seamlessly with Ford's social justice legacy. In a time when democratic norms are fragile, her appointment suggests Ford is not retreating from politics—it's leaning in.

Meanwhile, at NYU Wagner, Trottenberg represents a different but equally vital form of leadership. She has spent her career in the engine room of public service, managing systems that move millions, literally. Her work has shown how transportation policy can be a lever for safety, equity, and resilience, from steering Vision Zero in New York City to coordinating hundreds of billions in federal infrastructure funding. Trottenberg is not just a manager; she's a builder of trust, infrastructure, and systems that serve. Her leadership will shape the education of future public administrators who will be navigating increasingly complex challenges with a dedicated vision, humility, and skill.

These two leaders are united by their track record of translating values into institutions and their ability to lead through turbulence without losing sight of who public institutions are meant to serve. They're tested architects of change. Now, at a reflection point where public trust in institutions isn't favorable, their appointments showcase the value of institutional integrity and clarity.

These announcements reflect what public leadership can and should look like. As political polarization, technological disruption, and socio-economic inequality test our democratic infrastructure, the future will depend on leaders who understand the importance of bridging sectors, disciplines, and communities.

As someone who embraces the nonprofit sector and has the privilege of working at NYU and studying at NYU Wagner, I'm grateful for the chance to recognize moments that speak to what matters most (to me at least). These two appointments are such a moment. They remind me that equity and democracy are ongoing commitments—and that leadership, at its best, is about capacity, clarity, and courage. Because when we invest in leaders who lead with purpose, we create a future where the public good is a shared achievement.