Today the Council on Foundations announced the 2016 recipients of awards honoring exemplary leaders in the philanthropic field, including Packard Foundation President and CEO Carol Larson.
Carol, along with Ira Hirschfield, President and Trustee, Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, will receive the Distinguished Service Award, philanthropy’s highest honor, celebrates visionary leaders who embody those inspirational qualities that define excellence in philanthropy—commitment, courage, entrepreneurship, and impact.
Carol has served the Packard Foundation for 26 years, the last twelve as its president. Under her leadership, the foundation has built collaborative philanthropic efforts with a wide variety of colleagues around some of today’s toughest challenges like mitigating the effects of climate change, ensuring children have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and providing access to quality reproductive health care. At every level, she has worked to establish the Packard Foundation as a center for innovation and excellence in philanthropy.
Additionally, she has provided extensive service to strengthening the field of philanthropy. Carol is a leader in the Encore Movement, encouraging older adults to work for the common good. She served on the board of Northern California Grantmakers and Grantmakers for Children, Youth, and Families and as the board chair of the Council on Foundations from 2010 to 2012. Carol currently serves on the boards of the ClimateWorks Foundation and the American Leadership Forum — Silicon Valley. Notably, she mentors other philanthropic leaders.
“Carol Larson is rightfully being recognized for her global philanthropic leadership,” said Spruill. “Under her leadership, the Packard Foundation has built collaboration among foundations, and her efforts to create a tighter philanthropic community have undeniably improved the quality of all our work. She is also known for her humility and integrity, as well as her commitment to ensuring that American philanthropy engages thoughtfully in a global context.”
For more information about the 2016 awards program, see the Council on Foundation announcement.
