Susan V. Berresford

Susan V. Berresford served as Founding Chair of the United States Artists Board of Trustees from its inception in 2005 to 2011 and is currently an active member of the Board. She is the former President of the Ford Foundation and served in that role from 1996–2008. She first joined the Ford Foundation in 1970 and during her 38-year tenure held numerous positions including Project Assistant and Program Officer in the Division of National Affairs; Officer in Charge of the Foundation’s Women’s Programs; Vice President, U.S., and International Affairs Programs; and Vice President of the Program Division.

Prior to joining the Ford Foundation, she served as a Program Officer for the Neighborhood Youth Corps from 1965–1967. From 1967–68, she worked for the Manpower Career Development Agency where she was responsible for the evaluation of training, education, and work programs.

Berresford attended Vassar College and then studied American history at Radcliffe College, where she graduated cum laude in 1965. She currently serves on the board of The Trust for Mutual Understanding, Japan Center for International Exchange, Brearley School, and the Robina Foundation. Additionally, she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, she served on the boards of The California Endowment, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Independent Sector, and was a member of the Vestry of Trinity Church, the Trinidad Trust Fund (California). She was also the convener of the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin. Today, she works from her office at The New York Community Trust.