Aileen S. Lee Appointed President of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Aileen S Lee, incoming president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation • Photo Credit: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
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PALO ALTO, Calif., December 9, 2025 (BUSINESS WATCH GLOBAL) — Philanthropic organization the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has announced the appointment of Aileen S. Lee as its next president, effective January 1, 2026. Lee will succeed Harvey V. Fineberg, who has led the foundation since 2015.
Lee currently serves as chief of programs, where she oversees more than $500 million in annual grantmaking across scientific discovery, environmental conservation, and Bay Area initiatives. Since joining the organization in 2002, she has held multiple senior leadership roles and has represented the foundation in national and international partnerships.
Ken Moore, chair of the Board of Trustees, said Lee’s long history with the organization and familiarity with its mission positioned her for the role.
“We are thrilled to announce Aileen’s appointment as the foundation’s next president. Her deep understanding of our culture and history, strategic insight, and record of impact make her the ideal leader for the foundation’s next chapter. Under her leadership, the foundation will continue to strengthen its ability to meet emerging challenges across science, conservation, and philanthropy, creating lasting benefit for future generations,” said Moore.
Ellen Ochoa, trustee and chair of the Presidential Search Committee, also cited Lee’s leadership record.
“Aileen's strategic acumen, intellectual agility, and results-oriented mindset made her stand out among the many accomplished leaders we considered. She has demonstrated the ability to lead with integrity, build trust, and catalyze partnerships in order to produce impact. We are excited to see her guide the foundation with vision and purpose into the future,” said Ochoa.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the Moore Foundation. This organization’s mission, and the legacy of Gordon and Betty Moore, have inspired me throughout my career. I look forward to building on the foundation’s tradition of rigorous, outcomes-focused philanthropy and working alongside our extraordinary staff, grantees, and partners to achieve meaningful and lasting impact,” said Lee.
Fineberg described Lee as aligned with the foundation’s priorities.
“Aileen brings the perfect combination of forward-looking vision and deep alignment with the foundation’s core values. Inspired by Gordon Moore’s belief in ‘winning rather than losing slowly,’ she embodies the foundation’s commitment to pursuing what matters most – advancing bold, evidence-based solutions in science, environmental conservation, and the Bay Area,” said Fineberg.
Before joining the foundation, Lee was an associate principal at McKinsey & Company, focusing on strategy and organizational effectiveness. She currently serves on several boards, including the Climate and Land Use Alliance, iNaturalist, the Legacy Landscapes Fund, and the Marin Community Foundation.
For more information, visit www.moore.org.
