Humanitarian Susan Berresford has spent decades of her life working with the Ford Foundation to advance knowledge, end poverty, and champion social justice. Susan started her work as a program officer for the Neighborhood Youth Corps, then as an employee of the Manpower Career Development Agency. She began working for the Ford Foundation in 1970 as a project assistant in the Division of National Affairs before being promoted to a project officer, then moved on to become the officer in charge of the Foundation’s women’s programs. She continued up the ladder as vice president before finally becoming the president of the Ford Founation in 1996. Even after her term as president ended, Susan continues to work in charitable endeavors as a philanthropy consultant for the New York Trust Fund. She serves on the boards of the United States Artists, the Trinidad Trust Fund, and the Council of Foreign Relations, as well as serving as trustee for the California Endowment and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Her work reaches globally through UNICEF and the Vietnam Dialogue Group. Susan Berresford could have directed her attention and business skills toward making herself wealthy or famous, but she chose instead to use her knowledge and talents to coordinate relief and charity for others who need it.
Today, be inspired to…Examine what you’re doing with your gifts and talents today. Is everything just about you? I know I personally spend most of my time thinking about myself, but we should all learn to think of others more often.
Photo credit: nycommunitytrust.org
She Made A Difference 