Dr. Dan Porterfield
Porterfield will succeed Giuseppe "Seppy" Basili, who is retiring in June after eight years leading the organization, which provides scholarships and support to high-achieving students with financial need.
"Dan is a visionary leader who brings a rare combination of commitment to educational opportunity and ability to drive strategic and innovative impact," said Howard B. Soloway, the foundation's board chair.
At the Aspen Institute since 2013, Porterfield has raised more than $300 million toward a $450 million campaign, nearly doubled annual revenue, and tripled the endowment. He oversaw creation of the Center for Rising Generations, which received a $185.7 million gift from the Bezos Family Foundation.
Before joining Aspen, Porterfield served as president of Franklin & Marshall College, where he tripled the percentage of incoming low-income students while maintaining academic standards. He previously worked as senior vice president for strategic development at Georgetown University, expanding partnerships with organizations including Teach For America and the KIPP Foundation.
Since its founding in 2000, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has awarded $332 million in scholarships to nearly 3,900 students and provided $144 million in grants to organizations expanding access for high-achieving students with financial need.
Porterfield is incoming chair of Teach For America's national board and a trustee of Colorado College. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations.
