"We are delighted to have found in Luis a leader who shares our
commitment to the mission and values of the Ford Foundation, who will
provide bold leadership to our grant making and continue to foster an
environment of creativity and innovation for our staff," said Kathryn S.
Fuller, Chair of the Board of Trustees. 

    In the business arena, Mr. Ubinas has led research on the impact of new
technologies on business and society, has worked with traditional media
companies responding to the effects of new media, and with emerging
technology companies on the introduction of new media services. Much of his
work has been long-range in nature, requiring years to conceive, develop
and implement.
    "Leading the Ford Foundation is a great privilege and honor. The
foundation has been at the forefront of addressing social problems I
understand personally and to which I am deeply committed. I welcome the
opportunity to ensure the continuity of the work of this unique
organization," Mr. Ubinas said. "The Ford Foundation has an impressive
record of achievement, demonstrating time and again the courage of its
convictions. I am proud and humbled to become a part of this legacy."
    Ms. Berresford has held the post since 1996, when she succeeded
Franklin Thomas as the foundation's eighth president. She joined the staff
in 1970 and held a variety of posts including Vice President for Programs
and Chief Operating Officer.
    "Susan has had an enormous impact on this foundation and the entire
field of philanthropy," Ms. Fuller said. "Her vision has distinguished the
foundation during her tenure and will have a lasting impact. We have been
extraordinarily fortunate to benefit from her dedicated, creative and wise
leadership."
    During Ms. Berresford's tenure as president, the Ford Foundation
expanded its work on poverty reduction, human rights, peace-building and
governance reform, education and the arts. Among the initiatives Ms.
Berresford oversaw are a major new graduate fellowship program for
thousands of marginalized men and women around the world; a national
initiative to support individual artists; and major investments in
homeownership and matched savings for tens of thousands of low-income
Americans.
    Ms. Berresford's presidency coincided with a number of traumatic world
events. "I am proud that in difficult times we quickly provided support to
people in distress," Berresford said. "We helped establish the 9/11 Fund,
and made grants to protect vulnerable groups in 9/11's aftermath. And I
look back with pride on Ford's substantial response to natural disasters -
Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami - and our continuing efforts to address
the deeper causes of human suffering and vulnerability exposed by natural
disasters."
    "This foundation, networked around the world and driven by ambitions
for fairness, democratic practice and excellence, will surely flourish
under Luis Ubinas's leadership and be important for decades to come," Ms.
Berresford said. "He brings a fresh perspective and a breadth of valuable
experience to the foundation and to philanthropy."
    Mr. Ubinas will take up his role as President in January, 2008, when
Ms. Berresford officially retires.
    "We look forward to the innovative contributions our next president
will add to the Ford Foundation's extraordinary history of commitment to
human welfare," Ms. Fuller said.
    The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making
organization.
    For more than half a century it has been a resource for innovative
people and institutions worldwide, guided by its goals of strengthening
democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international
cooperation and advancing human achievement.
    With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Africa,
the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia.