Starsky Wilson

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson is president and CEO of Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and CDF Action Council. Founded in 1973, CDF builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Children’s Defense Fund envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. It pursues this vision through policy advocacy, community organizing, and a network of CDF Freedom Schools® in 100 U.S. cities and 30 states.

Distinguished for activism in philanthropy, faith, and community for child well-being and racial justice, Dr. Wilson’s public ministry includes service to vital national institutions. He serves as board chair for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Duke University’s Divinity School. Starsky previously led boards of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) and Forum for Theological Exploration.

Since joining CDF in 2020, Wilson has sharpened the organization’s strategy while managing its first leadership transition. Upon arrival, he re-activated CDF Action Council as a sister organization for grassroots legislative education, lobbying, and public accountability. In 2021, Wilson established a dedicated Leadership Development and Organizing department focused on base building with key constituencies. In 2022, this team relaunched CDF’s Black Student Leadership Network (BSLN) to train students in community organizing and policy analysis, and initiated capacity-building cohorts for faith communities to advocate for children’s policy. To infuse public policy with youth voice, in 2023, he merged the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) into CDF and published a 2030 public policy agenda informed by listening sessions and focus groups within CDF Freedom Schools.