Jane Wales

Vice President and Executive Director, Philanthropy and Social Innovation

The founder of the Aspen Philanthropy Group (APG), Jane provides strategic direction and content oversight, helping to build relationships among its members and “matchmake” between them when opportune. After a career in national security policy and nonprofit management, and her founding of the Global Philanthropy Forum and its regional affiliates in the Global South, Jane co-chaired the Generosity Commission, a national blue-ribbon panel on “everyday” giving and volunteering. She previously served in the Clinton Administration as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of the National Security Council. She simultaneously served as Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where her office was responsible both for developing policy for securing advanced weapons materials in the former Soviet Union and for advancing sustainable economic development through science and technology cooperation. In the Carter Administration, Jane served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

In the philanthropic sector, Jane chaired the international security programs at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the W. Alton Jones Foundation, and she directed the Project on World Security at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. From 2007 to 2008, she served as acting CEO of The Elders, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and founded by Nelson Mandela. Jane is a member of the board of directors of the Center for a New American Security. She chaired the Board of FSG, a nonprofit consultancy, for 13 years. While in these latter roles, for 25 years, she was host and moderator of the nationally syndicated National Public Radio interview show WorldAffairs produced by KQED-Radio. The show is now moderated by Ray Suarez, formerly of the NewsHour.

For media or speaking engagement inquiries, please email psi.communications@aspeninstitute.org.

Authored by Jane:

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Blog Posts

Maximizing Donor Impact Using the Field Strategist Lens

Aspen Institute Vice President and PSI Executive Director Jane Wales in conversation with Chloe Cockburn, president of Just Impact Advisors.

January 18, 2023

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Blog Posts

How Field Strategists Could Deepen Philanthropy’s Impact

Aspen Institute Vice President and PSI Executive Director, Jane Wales in conversation with Chloe Cockburn, president of Just Impact Advisors.

January 17, 2023

Blog Posts

Want to Build Trust? Start by Giving Back

Trust is the societal glue on which our democracy depends.

November 8, 2022

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Blog Posts Videos

Foundation Presidents’ Roundtable: A Conversation with Rockefeller Brothers Fund President and CEO, Stephen Heintz

A Conversation with Rockefeller Brothers Fund President and CEO, Stephen Heintz. Moderated by Vice President and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation, Jane Wales.

May 20, 2021

IDEAS Article IDEAS: the Magazine of the Aspen Institute Winter 2020/21 Longform

America’s Next Chapter

Can the Institute create a more inclusive world? Jane Wales explores how Institute programs are joining forces to do just that. Introducing the Pillars of Society.

December 1, 2020