What Is Susan Rice Doing Now?
Susan Rice currently serves as a senior advisor to the Walton Family Foundation, focusing on advancing equitable and sustainable solutions in education, the environment, and community development. While she no longer holds a formal government position, she remains a prominent voice in foreign policy and domestic affairs, often contributing to public discourse and shaping policy discussions.
Introduction: From National Security to Philanthropy
Susan Rice’s career has spanned decades of high-profile roles in government, most notably as National Security Advisor under President Barack Obama and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. After leaving the Obama administration, she transitioned into a new chapter, leveraging her extensive experience and influence to address pressing issues through philanthropic endeavors. This shift has allowed her to continue advocating for positive change, albeit from a different platform. Her focus now centers on supporting organizations and initiatives that promote social and economic justice, reflecting a deep commitment to creating a more equitable future.
Her Role at the Walton Family Foundation
Rice’s work at the Walton Family Foundation is multifaceted and strategic. She acts as a senior advisor, providing guidance and expertise across the Foundation’s key areas of focus: education, the environment, and community development. This involves:
- Strategic Planning: Contributing to the development of the Foundation’s long-term goals and strategies.
- Grantmaking Recommendations: Assessing potential grantees and recommending funding priorities.
- Partnership Development: Building relationships with other organizations and stakeholders to maximize impact.
- Public Advocacy: Using her platform to raise awareness of the issues the Foundation supports.
Her extensive network and deep understanding of policy-making allow her to bring a unique perspective to the Foundation’s work, helping to ensure that its investments are effective and impactful.
Areas of Focus: Education, Environment, and Community Development
The Walton Family Foundation’s three primary areas of focus align with Rice’s personal values and her commitment to creating a more just and sustainable world.
- Education: The Foundation invests in initiatives that improve educational opportunities for all students, particularly those from underserved communities. This includes supporting charter schools, teacher training programs, and efforts to promote innovation in education.
- Environment: The Foundation is dedicated to protecting rivers and oceans and supporting sustainable fisheries. This involves funding conservation efforts, promoting responsible resource management, and advocating for policies that protect our natural environment.
- Community Development: The Foundation invests in initiatives that promote economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in communities across the country. This includes supporting affordable housing, job training programs, and efforts to revitalize struggling neighborhoods.
Rice’s involvement helps to ensure that the Foundation’s work in these areas is grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with the needs of the communities it serves.
Continued Influence in Foreign Policy and Public Discourse
While her primary focus is now on philanthropy, Susan Rice remains a significant voice in foreign policy and public discourse. She frequently contributes op-eds and articles to major publications, participates in public forums, and provides commentary on current events. Her insights are highly valued due to her extensive experience in government and her deep understanding of international affairs.
Her perspectives on issues such as U.S.-China relations, the conflict in Ukraine, and the rise of authoritarianism are regularly sought after by policymakers, journalists, and the public. She also remains engaged in discussions about domestic policy, particularly on issues related to race, inequality, and social justice.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that Susan Rice has completely retreated from public life. While she is no longer in government, she continues to be actively involved in shaping public discourse and advocating for positive change. Another misconception is that her work at the Walton Family Foundation is simply a passive advisory role. In reality, she is deeply engaged in the Foundation’s strategic planning, grantmaking, and partnership development. Her contributions are vital to the Foundation’s efforts to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Susan Rice’s official title at the Walton Family Foundation?
Susan Rice is a Senior Advisor at the Walton Family Foundation. In this role, she provides strategic guidance and expertise to the Foundation’s leadership on a range of issues related to its three main areas of focus: education, the environment, and community development.
Does Susan Rice still have any involvement in government or politics?
While Susan Rice does not currently hold a formal government position, she remains a prominent voice in foreign policy and domestic affairs. She regularly contributes to public discourse through writing and speaking engagements, and her expertise is frequently sought after by policymakers and journalists.
What are some specific examples of Susan Rice’s work at the Walton Family Foundation?
Specific examples of her work are not always publicly disclosed, but it includes contributing to the foundation’s strategic planning, advising on grantmaking decisions, and building partnerships with other organizations. She also uses her platform to advocate for the issues the Foundation supports, such as education reform and environmental protection.
How does Susan Rice’s experience in government inform her work in philanthropy?
Her decades of experience in government, particularly as National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, have given her a deep understanding of policy-making, international relations, and the challenges facing communities around the world. This knowledge helps her to bring a unique perspective to the Foundation’s work and to ensure that its investments are effective and impactful.
Why did Susan Rice choose to work in philanthropy after leaving government?
After leaving the Obama administration, Susan Rice sought to continue her commitment to public service in a different capacity. Philanthropy offered her the opportunity to address pressing social and economic issues directly and to support organizations that are working to create positive change.
Has Susan Rice written any books or articles since leaving government?
Yes, Susan Rice is the author of Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For, a memoir published in 2019. She also regularly contributes op-eds and articles to major publications on a range of topics, including foreign policy, domestic politics, and social justice.
What are Susan Rice’s views on current U.S. foreign policy?
While her specific views can be found in her published writings and public statements, she generally advocates for a strong U.S. role in global affairs, the importance of international cooperation, and the promotion of democracy and human rights.
What is Susan Rice’s opinion on the state of education in the United States?
While her precise stance would require further specific research of her recent statements and publications, she generally emphasizes the importance of equal access to quality education for all students, particularly those from underserved communities. She supports initiatives that promote innovation in education and that prepare students for success in the 21st century.
How does Susan Rice see the role of philanthropy in addressing social and economic inequality?
Susan Rice believes that philanthropy plays a critical role in addressing social and economic inequality by providing resources to organizations that are working to create opportunities for marginalized communities and to dismantle systemic barriers.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the Walton Family Foundation?
Some of the biggest challenges facing the Walton Family Foundation include ensuring that its investments are effective and sustainable, building trust and partnerships with communities, and navigating the complex political and social landscape.
What impact has Susan Rice had on the Walton Family Foundation?
Susan Rice’s experience, expertise, and network have been invaluable to the Walton Family Foundation. She has helped to strengthen the Foundation’s strategic planning, improve its grantmaking processes, and expand its reach and impact.
Where can I find more information about Susan Rice’s work and activities?
You can find more information about Susan Rice’s work and activities by visiting the Walton Family Foundation’s website, reading her book Tough Love, and following her public statements and appearances. She is also active on social media, where she shares her perspectives on current events and engages with the public.