Gloria Perez

Gloria Perez is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM), where she leads the first statewide women’s foundation in the country. WFM has distributed nearly $50 million through community investments; conducts ongoing research on the status of women and girls in Minnesota; advocates for public policy that results in greater economic security and safety for women and their families; and invests in organizations and leaders to build the field and achieve gender and racial justice.

Perez became one of the country’s leading experts in two-generation strategies to reduce poverty as President & CEO of Jeremiah Program, a national nonprofit whose proven, holistic approach transforms families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. Perez has more than 25 years of experience across sectors, ranging from small business, for-profit corporations to nonprofit human service organizations. As an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute, Perez is working with other national leaders to drive innovative ideas and proven strategies to help families achieve educational success and economic security. She serves on the board of directors for Esperanza United, Macalester College, the Ciresi Walburn Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.