The Henry Luce Foundation express our deep sadness at the passing of our esteemed Board member colleague, Claire L. Gaudiani, on October 16, 2024, in New York City.
Claire was elected to the Board in 2000 and was a valuable and dedicated member for over two decades. Her contributions stemmed from an extraordinary academic and philanthropic career, characterized by leadership, scholarship, and advocacy.
At the time of her passing, Claire was a professor at The George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising at New York University. Previously, she served as a Senior Research Scholar at Yale Law School, where she authored The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism. Her commitment to advancing philanthropy’s role in society was a cornerstone of her life’s work.
Claire also served as President of Connecticut College, her undergraduate alma mater, for thirteen years, during which she elevated the institution’s national and international profile. After her presidential tenure, she continued her leadership as Executive Director of The Declaration Initiative, a program focused on addressing issues of economic inequality. Claire was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and held ten honorary doctorates, reflecting her outstanding contributions to education and philanthropy.
In addition to her academic achievements, Claire was an influential leader in the corporate and civic sectors. She served for 20 years on U.S. corporate boards and was the volunteer president of the New London Development Corporation.
We extend our deepest condolences to her husband, David Burnett, her daughter, Maria, son Graham, her grandchildren, and all those whose lives Claire touched. Her leadership, compassion, and visionary philanthropy will resonate within the Luce Foundation and beyond for years to come.
We were privileged to share in Claire Gaudiani’s leadership, and we honor her enduring contributions to the Foundation and to society at large.
