Short Bio for Claire Gaudiani

Claire Gaudiani is an expert on the history and economics of American philanthropy. She is also a caring Italian-American who speaks widely about the synergy of capitalism and philanthropy, encouraging fundraisers, financial advisors, corporate leaders, and politicians to harness our tradition of moral entrepreneurship to solve today’s continuing problems of poverty and inequality.

Gaudiani is clinical professor at the Heyman Center for Philanthropy at New York University, where she directs the graduate program in philanthropic studies. She recently wrote The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism (Henry Holt/New York Times Books). This widely-cited book argues that Americans are not generous because we are rich, but rich because we are generous. Gaudiani asserts that citizen generosity is the defining American value, and urges that we leverage this legacy through the coming, post-boomer wealth transfer.

Gaudiani is a director of numerous corporate and social profit enterprises specializing in corporate governance issues. Her current directorships include The Henry Luce Foundation, MBIA Inc. (where she chairs the governance committee) and The National Council for Economic Education. She is a trustee of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Gaudiani is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and recipient of the Rosso Medal for Distinguished Service to Philanthropy from Indiana University. She has received ten honorary doctorates, as well as distinguished teaching awards from

Gaudiani served for 13 years as President of Connecticut College, where she was also Professor of French. Under her leadership from 1988-2001, Connecticut College quintupled its endowment and rose to the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation.

She also served from 1997 to 2001 as volunteer president of the New London Development Corporation, dedicated to building the tax base, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for all citizens of New London,CT. During her tenure, NLDC managed $75 million in state infrastructure funding and attracted $300 million in private investment to New London, bringing 2100 new jobs to the city.

Gaudiani holds a PhD and master's degree in French literature from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree, also in French, from Connecticut College. Recent publications include “Values-Centered Financial Planning’ in the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, (June/July, 2006), “The Transformative Power of Women’s Philanthropy” in Women and Giving ( Jossey Bass, 2006), “Internal Board Communication Strategies’ in the National Association of Corporate Directors Journal ( June, 2007), and “Intangible Asset Planning” in Trusts and Estates (June, 2007). She is married to David Burnett, PhD, her partner in Gaudiani Associates. They have two married children and are proud grandparents of Francesca Burnett, age 6 months.