The Ford Foundation, driven by our mission to combat poverty and injustice while promoting democratic values and human achievement, envisions a world where everyone thrives and shares equitably in society’s resources. The Future of Work(ers) program in the U.S. tackles economic inequity through three interconnected approaches.

Firstly, we expand worker protections by advocating for universal labor standards, supporting robust enforcement of existing laws, and promoting innovative policy solutions at all levels of government. Secondly, Ford works to reshape business practices by challenging unaccountable practices in the tech industry, fostering technology designed with worker interests in mind, and empowering worker organizations to influence business practices towards a more stakeholder-driven model. This involves supporting research, setting standards for racial equity audits, and facilitating collaboration among investors to promote worker-centric initiatives. Finally, Ford works to build public will on labor protections, and informs strategic audiences on the future of work and workers’ rights

As a dedicated and lifelong scholar of public policy with a PhD focused on interest group competition, I’m fascinated by how groups can democratize the policy process to effect change.

My career has allowed me to blend academic study with practical experience gained over two decades in the federal policy arena. I’ve worked as a congressional staffer, a political appointee, and for various think tanks and interest groups.

​Today, in philanthropy, I leverage grantmaking to empower groups to collaborate on community solutions, ultimately reshaping the relationship between the state, civil society, and the economy. For instance, we provided early support for the equitable implementation of new federal industrial policy, enabling organizations like Jobs to Move America to help Southern communities negotiate better deals with companies receiving public funds.

A significant part of our philanthropic work involves bringing other funders on board with our vision for the future of work and workers. We aim to help them to see their own values and priorities reflected in our focus on workers’ rights and economic justice. Influencing funders can be a long and arduous process, requiring patience and persistence and lots of engagement. It’s about fostering a genuine understanding of how our work aligns with their philanthropic goals and demonstrating the potential for transformative change. However, when we succeed in this endeavor, the possibilities for scaling impactful solutions and creating a more equitable economy are truly immense.

My approach to grantmaking centers on expanding the ways we protect workers in the workplace. This involves fostering strategic governance of grants based on relationships within emerging policy communities. Engaging with the EOF network allows us to connect with diverse policy communities beyond worker rights, bringing new voices and perspectives into the policy process. This can lead to the validation of new policy discourses, ultimately creating pathways for novel forms of policy influence and enactment. Simultaneously, participation in the EOF network helps us to leverage various learning activities to reimagine approaches from established policy actors and agencies. In essence, we are advancing the Future of Work(ers) strategy through a multifaceted approach that embraces innovation and collaboration.

When it comes to protecting workers in an uncertain economy, what does it take to get to yes in your foundation?