MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey Joins McNulty Prize Jury
The McNulty Foundation is pleased to announce that John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation, has joined the McNulty Prize jury. His appointment comes as the Prize approaches two decades of honoring fearless leaders who are solving the most critical challenges of our time.
"John is a fearless leader in his own right and embodies the rare combination of courage, conviction, and unwavering commitment to both opportunity and justice. I look forward to working with him and the rest of our jury, each of whom is an extraordinary leadership example," said Anne Welsh McNulty, president of the McNulty Foundation and trustee of the Aspen Institute.
A fierce advocate for a multicultural democracy, John has championed the independence of philanthropy and encouraged foundations to act boldly and give generously amid growing global disruption. He brings extensive experience in social change spanning education, the nonprofit sector, and philanthropy, where he has emerged as a trusted, leading voice.
Before joining the MacArthur Foundation, John served as Head of School at Phillips Academy, Andover, and as the Henry N. Ess III Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources at Harvard Law School. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and serves on the governance council.
Throughout his career, John has embraced rigorous thinking and creative solutions made possible by technology, accessibility of information, and diversity and inclusion. These commitments and leadership perspectives will help shape the next chapter of the McNulty Prize as it approaches a new decade of impact.
John joins a distinguished international jury that includes development expert Brizio Biondi-Morra, social entrepreneurship pioneer and Echoing Green CEO, Cheryl Dorsey, and international diplomat Olara Otunnu. The Foundation is privileged to be guided by this remarkable group of leaders, as well as past jurors including co-founder of the Prize, the late former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Darren Walker, Mary Robinson, and Sir Richard Branson, among others.
Since 2008, jurors have identified breakthrough leaders and ventures tackling broken systems with innovative solutions. Through tailored support and resources, the Prize positions them for greater recognition and accelerates the reach of their unique models of change. With the jury’s guidance, the Foundation backs leaders whose courage is undeniable, whose vision is clear, and whose impact is proven. Then, we invite our community—including major philanthropic institutions—to join us in catalyzing that impact to reach millions more.
Stay tuned for the official announcement of the 2026 McNulty Prize Winners on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, alongside the release of three official short films honoring their impact.
About the John P. & Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation
The McNulty Foundation inspires, develops, and drives leaders to solve the critical challenges of their time. Created in 2008 by Anne Welsh McNulty in honor of her late husband, the John P. McNulty Prize is awarded in partnership with the Aspen Institute and has now recognized over 60 visionary leaders for their courage and lasting impact. The McNulty Prize strategically invests at the critical point between proof of concept and global scale, where few other supporters operate, to position leaders and mid-stage ventures for greater impact. McNulty Prize winners receive $150,000 over two years, plus the equivalent of $200,000 in media and communications, coaching and strategic advising, and convening support. To learn more, visit mcnultyfound.org