Dear Partners and Friends,

I am writing today with exciting news! Veteran social entrepreneur Stephanie Cornell will be the next executive director of the Walton Family Foundation. Her selection follows an extensive search and deep participation from our Board.

Most recently, Stephanie served as managing director of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. Before that role, Stephanie co-founded three social ventures: Strategic Grant Partners, Project Healthy Children (now Sanku) and the Maranyundo Initiative.

Stephanie’s leadership will help continue the vision that inspired my grandparents, Sam and Helen Walton, when they started the foundation. They believed in the limitless potential of people with access to opportunity and encouragement. Their vision has guided the foundation for more than three decades while adapting to today’s world.

Stephanie brings:

• Extensive experience with an array of social impact organizations. Her perspective will help us continue evolving and find new ways to unlock opportunity for people and communities.
  
• A strong track record of growing and guiding successful organizations. She has a background in leading teams and driving for measurable outcomes. This combination provides the leadership necessary as the foundation works with grantees and communities to pursue ambitious goals.
  
• A broad network dedicated to partnerships and problem-solving. This strength is key as we tackle challenges more complex and interconnected than ever. To drive lasting change, we need to be ambitious and look for ideas from everywhere.
  

Please join me in welcoming Stephanie!