Jane Wales

Jane Wales is an American non-profit executive, former US government official, and former foundation executive, who has served on the boards of directors of and founded many institutions. She is a Vice President of the Aspen Institute, and was the CEO of the World Affairs Council of Northern California for 20 years before resigning in 2019. She was also the founder and CEO of the Global Philanthropy Forum, She helped found the African Philanthropy Forum and the Brazilian Philanthropy Forum, and was the initial Executive Director of the Elders, founded by Nelson Mandella and Chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Moreover, she advises many philanthropists and is a member of the board of the Center for a New American Security. She serves as co-chair of the Generosity Commission. Her articles have appeared in The Guardian, the Stanford Social Science Review, Aspen Ideas Magazine and other publications. She is frequently interviewed on national security and economic development issues on television and public radio.