USA Projects

Susan V. Berresford is the former President of the Ford Foundation (1996–2008). Ms. Berresford joined the Ford Foundation in 1970. During her 38 years at the Ford Foundation she 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 Foundation, Ms. Berresford served as a Program Officer for the Neighborhood Youth Corps from 1965–1967. From 1967–68, she then worked for the Manpower Career Development Agency, where she was responsible for evaluation of training, education, and work programs. Ms. Berresford attended Vassar College and then studied American history at Radcliffe College, where she graduated cum laude in 1965. Ms. Berresford is the Chair of the USA Board of Directors and is a board member of the Independent Sector, The California Endowment, The Kaiser Family Foundation, and the American Asthma Foundation. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Trinidad Trust Fund (California) and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations as well as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Ms. Berresford is the convener of the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin. She currently works at The New York Community Trust, consulting on philanthropy and leading several projects for the Ford Foundation.