John Palfrey, President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, succeeds Rich Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as co-chair of the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy
Chicago, IL (March 5, 2025) – The Disability & Philanthropy Forum announced that John Palfrey, President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has assumed the role of co-chair of the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. Palfrey succeeds Rich Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as the co-chair.
“I have been honored to serve as co-chair of the Council since it began in 2019, first with Darren Walker and then with Ryan Easterly,” Besser said. “Learning and acting together with Foundation leaders to apply a stronger disability lens to RWJF’s work has been invaluable to me personally and helped us follow through on our ongoing commitment to disability inclusion. I look forward to continuing to learn and hold RWJF accountable as a member of the Council as my wonderful successor, John, lends his longstanding commitment to disability inclusion in philanthropy to this important role.”
Palfrey joins Ryan Easterly, Executive Director of the WITH Foundation, in co-chairing the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. The Presidents’ Council is a peer network of the Disability & Philanthropy Forum, which it created along with the Disability Inclusion Fund at Borealis Philanthropy.
“In these unprecedented times, this is the moment to stay the course. We all have an important role to play in making the world more inclusive and accessible,” said Palfrey,. “Being part of the President’s Council has encouraged me and many other philanthropic institutions to do more to advance disability inclusion, rights, and justice. I’m proud to serve as co-chair as we continue this work together.”
With more than 61 million disabled adults in the United States, in 2019 leaders from the Presidents’ Council began their journey of advocating for disability inclusion within the philanthropic sector. Committed to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice, these leaders have pledged to disrupt ableism, support movements led by disability communities, amplify the leadership of disabled people in the sector, and foster a culture of inclusion within their foundations.
“Since the inception of the Presidents’ Council in 2019, I have witnessed John’s steadfast commitment to disability inclusion, rights, and justice,” said Easterly. “I look forward to our continued collaboration in his new role as co-chair of the Presidents’ Council.”
About Disability & Philanthropy Forum
The Disability & Philanthropy Forum mobilizes philanthropy to dismantle ableism by increasing funding for disability inclusion, rights, and justice; amplifying the leadership of disabled people in the philanthropic sector; and educating philanthropy to build a culture of inclusion.
Media Contact: Gail Fuller, gail.fuller@disabilityphilanthropy.org
