DARREN WALKER
As President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker’s philanthropic passion is the bedrock of what motivates him and his work supporting vital projects that center social justice. Walker has made bold movies this year, most recently supporting director Ava DuVernay's film Origin based on Isabelle Wilkerson book Caste, The New York Times Best Seller, and convening with the National Black Theatre to advance the next act of storytelling. Under Walker's leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in U.S. history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond in U.S. capital markets for proceeds to strengthen and stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19. If that wasn’t enough, Walker chaired the philanthropy committee that brought a resolution to the city of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy. These accomplishments rightfully secured Walker as one of the 100 Most Influential People in TIME magazine. —K.M.