Kenneth M. Jones II will serve as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Foundation, starting October 15, 2019. Jones is a strategic thinker, proven financial leader, and visionary executive with international experience in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
As Vice President and CFO, and as a member of the Foundation’s executive leadership team, Jones will be responsible for all aspects of the finance, accounting, tax, audit, administrative services and facilities functions of the MacArthur Foundation. With the current finance team, Jones will plan, implement, and evaluate the Foundation’s financial objectives and performance to support MacArthur’s priorities and programs.
“We are pleased to have Ken Jones join the MacArthur Foundation,” said MacArthur President Julia Stasch. “Ken is a seasoned leader with strong problem-solving and creative skills. His expertise and demonstrated ability to exercise sound, informed judgment will help advance MacArthur’s vision, values, and mission.”
Jones is currently the Vice President and CFO at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. At Casey, Jones spearheaded policy changes and best practices that moved grant funds to nonprofits faster; provided staff the technology tools they needed; and adopted internal control, finance, and human resources protocols. Jones also helped lead efforts to promote and document workforce diversity.
“Ken Jones has a wonderful blend of innovative leadership, active curiosity, and practical sensibilities,” said incoming MacArthur President John Palfrey. “In addition to his contributions to for-profit and nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors, we will benefit greatly from his international experience and broad networks.”
Before joining Casey in 2008, Jones traveled extensively in Africa and Southeast Asia as CFO of Danya International, a public health and education organization, and Jhpiego, a nonprofit international health affiliate of Johns Hopkins University. Jones previously held corporate finance positions at Ford Motor Company, Pfizer Corporation, and Prudential.
Jones serves as a board member and treasurer of the Council on Foundations, and he is the Immediate Past Board Chair of the Association of Black Foundation Executives. Jones earned his bachelor’s degree at Boston University, a master’s degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and an MBA at the Sloan School of Management at MIT.