Heather Gerken

Heather Gerken began her distinguished career in academia as a faculty member at Harvard Law School before moving on to Yale Law School, where she holds the position of Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law. Her expertise and commitment to the field of law led to her appointment as the 17th Dean of Yale Law School in 2017, a position to which she was reappointed for a second five-year term in 2021. Outside of academia, Gerken has also been associated with Jenner & Block, a highly regarded law firm.

In addition to her academic and professional responsibilities, Gerken has contributed to the field of law through her written work. Her book, "The Democracy Index: Why Our Election System is Failing and How to Fix It," published by Princeton University Press in 2009, underscores her proficiency in the intricacies of the American election system.

Gerken's accomplishments have been recognized by various institutions. In 2017, she was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an acknowledgment of her significant contributions to the field of law. In 2021, she was further recognized for her expertise when she was named to the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States by President Joe Biden. Looking forward, Gerken is set to assume the role of president of the Ford Foundation in November of 2025.