Eric Ward

Eric Ward is a civil rights strategist, philanthropic leader, and cultural activist with nearly four decades of experience at the intersection of racial justice, democracy, and culture. Currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Race Forward and a Senior Fellow with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Ward has significantly contributed to national discourse on race and democracy. They have previously held key positions at the Ford Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, and the Open Society Foundations, among others. A co-founder of Funders for Justice and an advisor to Courage Calls Us, Ward has authored influential works and produced documentaries that address systemic issues of hate and bigotry. Their extensive experience includes leadership roles aimed at strengthening multiracial coalitions and combating authoritarian threats to democratic governance.