Palfrey Calls for Collaborative Leadership at Loeschner Lecture
MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey spoke of the Greek roots of the word philanthropy and its power to improve the world around us—not only through charity, which eases suffering in the moment, but also through long-term change during Northwestern University’s annual Loeschner Leadership Lecture Series.
“How do we imagine ourselves as part of an arc of justice that is, in fact, heading in a good direction?” asked Paltry, an educator, author, legal scholar, and leader of one of the world’s largest charitable organizations.
Named one of the nation’s best leaders of 2025 by US News and World Report for “finding MacArthur ‘geniuses’ to funding transformative change,” Palfrey met with a group of Northwestern undergraduates before the main event, a conversation with School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan Brayboy.
In addition to supporting efforts in areas such as climate change and criminal justice reform, the MacArthur Foundation invests in local, national and international news organizations and awards extraordinarily creative people through the MacArthur Fellows Program.
School of Education and Social Policy Professor Megan Bang, who serves on the board of the John T. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation, introduced Palfrey, describing him as a “brilliant thought leader with incredible foresight.”
“He puts a room at ease,” she said. “At the same time, he speaks clearly and sometimes delivers very hard truths, which to me is remarkable.”
In a wide-ranging conversation with Dean Brayboy, Palfrey told students that leadership isn’t about the title you have, but about the responsibilities you’re trusted to carry out. “I really hope that this may be a period where you can think about, ‘what does it mean to be a leader,’ and how can you be part of a leaderful society,” he said. “It just seems so increasingly important that we figure that out as a democracy.”
Palfrey noted that “alignment is the most important thing in leadership,” invoking the image of people rowing a jiimaan, or Ojibwe canoe, which is represented in Northwestern’s land acknowledgement crest. When everyone rows together, it’s easy to reach the destination. But if the rowers are out of alignment, the boat just spins in circles.
Palfrey and Brayboy also discussed democracy, which Palfrey felt is “at great risk” in countries around the world, from the United States to Nigeria to India, all three places where the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation has locations.
He advised against “obeying in advance” to the demands of the current administration. Instead, the philanthropy world should chose to “unite in advance,” referencing the nonpartisan statement signed by over 700 organizations vowing to stand strong in their principles and the right to give.
Palfrey also reaffirmed the MacArthur Foundation’s commitment to media and journalism, emphasizing the importance of local news. Palfrey played a key role in the foundation of Press Forward, an organization that works to revitalize local news around the country.
He reminded the audience that with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, we must consider the nation and envision a better future for it.
“We really have to figure this out, and we’ve got a chance with this birthday... to ask, ‘what does it mean to have trust and truth in a democracy?” he said. “That’s so important."
Like many in the audience, Brayboy felt the call to action from Palfrey.
“I'm leaving inspired,” Brayboy said, as the event wrapped up. “I want to run through a wall for you.”
About the Loeschner Lecture Series on Leadership
Established in 2013 by a gift from School of Education and Social Policy alumnus Ray Loeschner, the Nancy and Ray Loeschner Lecture Series on Leadership presents visionary leaders in education and other fields. Loeschner is the former president of Olivet University and a pioneer in higher education. In 2006 he received the Northwestern University Alumni Association Alumni Merit Award for the School of Education and Social Policy.