HELEN WALTON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Program Officer, Home Region Program
Ana is an associate program officer for the Home Region program. Prior to joining the foundation, she was a development officer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Ana holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and International Relations and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. She was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Ana is a grants administrator. Before joining the foundation, she worked for more than 8 years as the clinical records assistant for Circle of Life Hospice. Previously, she was a marketing office manager and promotional specialist for Creative Marketing Services and a marketing account manager and client services manager for Retailtainment, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Program Officer for the K - 12 Education Program
- Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Beth Bray is a program officer for the K-12 Education Program. In this role, Beth is responsible for managing K-12 investments in Indianapolis - one of the foundation's 13 target cities - and Ohio. Beth is also actively engaged in the foundation's broader investments in charter facilities and public policy. In 2016, Beth led the creation of the Building Equity Initiative, a $250 million strategic investment fund established by the Walton family to help charter schools access affordable facilities.
Prior to joining the foundation, Beth served as the Director of Charter Schools under Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and was responsible for the oversight of 24 public charter schools. Beth began her career in public policy as a researcher and lobbyist for The Children's Bureau, a statewide children's service agency, before joining the charter schools team under former Mayor Bart Peterson in 2007.
Beth holds a B.S. from Ball State University and a M.S.W. from Indiana University.
Bob Smith is responsible for all tax-exempt organization accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance and tax planning at the Walton Family Foundation.
Before joining the foundation, Bob served as CFO and director of accounting of the automotive division of a family-owned company and worked in both the Little Rock and St. Louis offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
He is a CPA and holds a B.S.B.A. from Missouri State University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Senior Advisor, Emeritus, K - 12 Education Program
In his new book, "The Opportunity to Rise," Bruno V. Manno shares his "rational optimism" about the future of K-12 education in America
Bruno is senior advisor, emeritus, for the K-12 Education Program focused on grantmaking and team operations. Before joining the foundation, he was senior program associate for education with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and before that, a senior fellow in the Education Policy Studies Program at the Hudson Institute. From 1986 to 1993, he worked in the United States Department of Education, holding several senior positions, including assistant secretary for policy and planning.
Bruno received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Dayton and a Ph.D. from Boston College. He is the co-author or author of numerous books and articles on K-12 education policy and reform as well as philanthropy.
Job Titles:
- Program Officer for the K - 12 Education Program
- Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Carly is a program officer for the K-12 Education Program, focusing on the foundation's grantmaking in Illinois and Memphis. Before joining the foundation, she was a consultant with charter school management organizations, school districts, state departments of education and other state agencies on projects including charter school authorization, school evaluations, and authorizer trainings. Prior to her consulting work, Carly was executive director of the Office of New Schools for Chicago Public Schools.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in French from Miami University and a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Carrie Walton Penner is a K-12 education advocate. Her passion for educational equity was ignited during college when she witnessed firsthand the significant quality discrepancy in the U.S. public education system while tutoring high school students in Washington, D.C. She has been active in education research, evaluation, advocacy and philanthropy for more than 20 years. She is focused on improving access to high-quality schools for every child, particularly those in low-income communities.
With expertise in developing effective governance models for high-impact philanthropy, Carrie has advised many nonprofit organizations on matters such as strategic planning, funder and grantee relationship building and organizational transitions. She serves on the Walton Family Foundation K-12 Education Program Committee, as well as the boards of The Aspen Institute and KIPP Foundation. She is also a member of the Stanford University Board of Trustees.
Carrie holds a bachelor's degree in economics and history from Georgetown University, a master's degree in administration and policy analysis, and a master's degree in program evaluation - both from Stanford University Graduate School of Education.
Carrie is the granddaughter of Helen and Sam Walton, founders of the Walton Family Foundation and Walmart.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Longtime Nonprofit Executive
- New Executive Director
Caryl M. Stern serves as Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation, a position she has held since 2020. She is a former President and CEO of UNICEF USA.
An author, activist and global advocate for the health and well-being of children, Caryl has dedicated her career to helping others through education, compassion and the expansion of civil rights.
Since joining the foundation, Caryl has led its work to create opportunity for people through collaboration and community-led change. She has written and spoken extensively on how philanthropy must bridge divides, embrace diverse voices and pursue innovation to find common solutions that help people achieve their ambitions. Rooted in a belief in listening to and learning from those closest to the challenges, the foundation is leading change that ensures high-quality education for all children, protects our environment and builds vibrant, inclusive communities.
At UNICEF USA, Caryl represented the organization's emergency relief efforts for children affected by disasters, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 East Africa drought, the Ebola and Zika epidemics and the ongoing global refugee and migrant crisis. Previously, Caryl served as Senior Associate National Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Anti-Defamation League, the founding director of its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute and the Dean of Students at Polytechnic University.
A sought-after public speaker on Kids Helping Kids, children and philanthropy, anti-bullying and international development, Caryl presented at the White House's inaugural summit on The United State of Women. She was named one of "25 Women Changing the World in 2017" by People Magazine, "20 Most Influential Moms of 2017" by Family Circle, "25 Moms We Love" by Working Mother Magazine and "Ten Women to Watch" by Jewish Women International.
Caryl serves on the boards of directors of The Container Store and the We Are Family Foundation, in addition to being a member of the Chime for Change Advisory Board and the Philanthropic Impact Advisory Council at Athletes' Voices. She was selected as a recipient of the Helenka Pantaleoni Humanitarian Award from UNICEF USA in 2020 and named a Moves Power Women honoree in 2020. The recipient of five honorary Doctoral degrees, Caryl earned a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art, a Master's Degree in College Student Personnel Administration and completed her PhD coursework in the same field.
Caryl is a mother of three and grandmother of two.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer
- Founding Member of Chief
Prior to the foundation, Chelsea was SVP & Chief Regional Strategy and Operations Officer at UNICEF USA. She led a complete organizational restructure and strategic planning process aimed at rapidly scaling revenue and advocacy outcomes across major U.S. markets, enabling record-breaking fundraising, local brand positioning and policy change. She managed nine Regional Boards and Offices responsible for Major Gifts, Special Events, UNICEF Next Generation and Community Engagement. Chelsea led partner visits to refugee camps, emergency zones and the hardest to reach places to serve the most vulnerable communities.
Chelsea is a founding member of Chief, a private network connecting and supporting women leaders. She was selected to Fortune's Most Powerful Women NextGen, and serves as a Three Dot Dash mentor for global teen entrepreneurs addressing the world's most pressing issues.
She studied Diplomacy and International Relations at SIT and received her BA from Bucknell University. She played NCAA Division I lacrosse and is currently on the Board of the Lacrosse Business Network.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Chelsea partners with the Board, executive director and leadership team to implement the foundation's philanthropic strategy, drive organizational excellence and impact, and serve as a culture champion for the foundation's mission and values.
As General Counsel, Christie Yang leads legal operations to advance the foundation's goals and drive impact. In this role, Christie serves as a key advisor to the executive director, supports engagement with the Board and works collaboratively with foundation leadership. She manages a team that oversees the foundation's legal, governance and compliance needs. Christie brings deep experience having previously served as interim general counsel and associate general counsel. Prior to joining the Walton Family Foundation, Christie was a critical part of the legal function at the Brookings Institution for five years and was a litigator at Morrison & Foerster LLP in both Palo Alto and Washington D.C. for six years.
Christie received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. from Yale University. She serves on the leadership team for the Association of Corporate Counsel Nonprofit Organizations Network.
Job Titles:
- Associate General Counsel
Job Titles:
- Nobel Prize - Winning Economist
Daphne Davis Moore leads all internal and external communications for the Walton Family Foundation. She directs institutional foundation communications and branding, and oversees media relations and messaging to advance the foundation's K-12 Education, Environment and Home Region Programs.
Before joining the foundation, Daphne spent 13 years at Walmart, holding senior positions in public affairs, government relations and corporate communications. She managed a 16-person government relations team working nationwide to secure store approvals and also served as regional director of government relations for the Northeast.
Daphne began her career in journalism, working as a reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Northwest Arkansas Times and the Log Cabin Democrat, in Conway, Ark.
She holds a B.A. in English and mass communications from Ouachita Baptist University, where she was editor of the college newspaper.
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Officer for the K - 12 Education Program
- Senior Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Fawzia is a senior program officer for the K-12 Education Program, focusing on the foundation's Washington, D.C., grantmaking and the program's budget and operations. Before joining the foundation, Fawzia was a senior director with Arabella Advisors, where she grew the firm's education initiatives and managed its emerging family foundation practice. She began her career in K-12 education as director of special projects with Achievement First, a charter management organization based in Connecticut and New York. She previously worked across a number of fields as an economic consultant, in finance and working for a family office. She has published on the social mobility of ethnic minorities, on healthcare outcomes and on philanthropy.
Fawzia has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.
Job Titles:
- Associate General Counsel
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Joanna Cannon works on the K-12 education team, supporting grantmaking for both the K-12 program area and Alice Walton. Before joining the foundation, Joanna was the chief operating officer for PENCIL, an education non-profit. Prior, she was the chief strategic officer for the division of Talent, Labor and Innovation at the NYC Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation.
Joanna holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Columbia University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Officer for the K12
- Senior Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Johannah is a senior program officer for the K12 education program, leading the Catalytic Communities initiative which is focused on supporting community-driven educational change in diverse places across the country. Prior to joining the foundation, Johannah served as the Associate Dean for Innovation, Policy and Research at Bank Street College of Education, where she led an initiative to translate Bank Street's 100 years of high quality early learning and teacher preparation experience to classrooms and communities with the greatest need. Prior to Bank Street, Johannah worked at the New York City Department of Education on Mayor Bloomberg's Children's First reforms. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Special Education division, she led a citywide reform to special education policy, expanding access to high-quality instruction and improving outcomes for the City's 210,000 students with special needs. Johannah is a former middle school math teacher and Teach For America alumna. She earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a master's from Pace University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor for the Home Region Program
- Senior Advisor, Home Region Program
Kim is a senior advisor for the Home Region Program and leads the foundation's work in the Arkansas/Mississippi Delta. Before joining the foundation, he was the Director of External Relations and Economic Development and Director of Education and Workforce for the Northwest Arkansas Council, a regional economic development organization. While at the Northwest Arkansas Council, Kim was appointed to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education by former Governor Mike Beebe and concluded that service in 2015. He is a member of the class of 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars, a program operated by the George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson foundations, designed to hone leadership abilities through interactions with former presidents, key administration officials, leading academics and business and civic leaders.
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Officer for the K - 12 Education Program
- Senior Program Officer, K - 12 Education Program
Lori is a senior program officer for the K-12 Education Program. Along with managing foundation grantmaking in Georgia and Florida, she also directs strategy in Atlanta. Lori leads a portfolio of national policy and advocacy grantees. Before joining the foundation, she served as director of state projects at the national nonprofits Alliance for School Choice and Advocates for School Choice. Previously, she was the director of public affairs and the director of the education task force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. Lori began her career serving as the legislative advisor to Ohio's then-Assistant Majority Leader.
She received a bachelor's degree in English from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Strategy, Learning & Evaluation Director
Matthew Carr is the Strategy, Learning and Evaluation Director at the Walton Family Foundation. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring the foundation Board and staff are provided with accurate, timely research and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
Previously, Matthew was a director of Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In this position, he is responsible for assisting program staff and trustees in measuring and understanding the impact of grant investments and program activity.
Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Matthew was a senior research officer at the Walton Family Foundation, where his work focused on the evaluation of the foundation's grantmaking and providing research and analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
Earlier, he was a research analyst at Westat, where he conducted program evaluations of education and workforce development initiatives. He also was the director of education policy at the Buckeye Institute, where his research focused on charter schools, vouchers, school finance, and performance-based compensation.
He is the author of several journal articles, including articles in The Foundation Review, Non-Profit Quarterly, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Matthew earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration from Kent State University, and a PhD in public policy from the University of Arkansas.
Job Titles:
- Program Officer for the Home Region Program
- Program Officer, Home Region Program
Meredith is a program officer for the Home Region Program. Prior to joining the foundation, Meredith worked in urban planning and design for Dover, Kohl & Partners in Miami, Florida. She also served as the director of the main street program in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Meredith is an AICP-certified planner with a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Payable Specialist
Job Titles:
- Environment Program Director
Job Titles:
- Special Projects Director
Job Titles:
- Director, Home Region Program
Job Titles:
- Education Program Director
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Support Associate
Job Titles:
- Equity & Inclusion Program Director