Judith Rodin

Dr. Judith Rodin is an American research psychologist, executive, university president, and leader in higher education, philanthropy, and global development. Rodin was the first woman to permanently lead an Ivy League institution and the first woman to serve as president of the Rockefeller Foundation. Her career spans academia, science, public policy, and international development, with a focus on resilience, impact investing, and strategic philanthropy.

Rodin is a scholar in behavioral medicine and health psychology, having spent two decades on the faculty at Yale, where she advanced to university provost. Her research has focused on obesity, eating disorders, stress, and aging, and she held the positions of Philip R. Allen Professor of Psychology and professor of medicine and psychiatry. Rodin’s work contributed to the understanding of the aging process, demonstrating that elderly individuals with control over their environment experience better health outcomes and longevity. She has authored more than 250 academic articles and chapters and has written or co-written 15 books, including "The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong" and "Making Money Moral: How a New Wave of Visionaries is Linking Purpose and Profit."

Rodin was appointed president of the University of Pennsylvania, becoming the first permanent female president of an Ivy League institution and the first graduate of the university to assume its highest leadership role. During her tenure, Penn increased its research funding, fundraising, and endowment, and saw growth in undergraduate applications and selectivity. The university also implemented a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization program in West Philadelphia.

As president of the Rockefeller Foundation, Rodin emphasized resilience as a framework for addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, urbanization, healthcare access, and economic inequality. She led the foundation in developing new fields, including resilience, planetary health, impact investing, innovative finance, and universal health coverage. Rodin launched the 100 Resilient Cities initiative to help cities worldwide prepare for and withstand 21st-century challenges. She also co-chaired NYS 2100, a commission focused on strengthening New York State’s infrastructure in response to natural disasters and emergencies.

Rodin’s contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the Philadelphia Award, the William Penn Award, and the Pennsylvania Society's Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement. She received the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology and the Lifetime Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association. Rodin has been named to Crain's 50 Most Powerful Women in New York and Forbes Magazine's List of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women. She participates in global forums such as the World Economic Forum, Clinton Global Initiative, and United Nations General Assembly, and has served as co-chair of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.