Tory Burch Foundation Appoints Tiffany Dufu as President

The Tory Burch Foundation has selected Tiffany Dufu as its new president, marking a significant move for the organization’s mission to support women and girls. Dufu, an advocate for women’s advancement, has an impressive track record in this field, having raised over $25 million to promote their causes.

Dufu is the founder of The Cru, a peer-coaching tech company that was acquired by Luminary in the past year. She is also the author of the book “Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less” and played a pivotal role in the “Lean In” initiative. Moreover, she previously served as the chief leadership officer of Levo, a professional network for Millennials, and was the president of The White House Project, an organization that trained women to run for political office.

Starting her tenure with the foundation, Dufu will oversee all programs, operations, and fundraising efforts. The Tory Burch Foundation focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs across the nation by providing access to capital, education, and a supportive community. Dufu takes the reins from Laurie Fabiano, who served as president for nearly a decade and will continue as president emerita.

Dufu has already established a connection with Tory Burch, having spoken at the 2022 Embrace Ambition Summit. Her new role involves enhancing the foundation’s impact and fundraising capabilities, with new initiatives set to be unveiled in the coming months.

Tory Burch, the designer and founder of the foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for Dufu’s appointment, describing her as “an accomplished and dynamic leader.” Burch believes Dufu’s firsthand understanding of the challenges women entrepreneurs face will be invaluable in advancing the foundation’s mission.

Dufu’s impressive accolades include being named among Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women and Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women. As she takes on her new role, she aims to empower more women entrepreneurs and facilitate their business growth.

Under Dufu’s leadership, the Tory Burch Foundation has already made significant strides. The foundation’s Fellows Program has granted $1.85 million to aid 280 women in advancing their businesses. Additionally, the Bank of America-backed Capital Program has distributed $100 million in low-interest loans to 5,600 women entrepreneurs, while the Women of Color Grant Program has provided $3.2 million in grants to 240 small businesses led by women of color.

Furthermore, the foundation’s online education programs benefit over 650,000 people annually, offering free small business webinars. Despite the vital role women-owned businesses play in the economy, they still receive significantly less funding compared to their male counterparts. Dufu recognizes this disparity and is determined to address it, stating, “Empowering women entrepreneurs will catapult our economy forward.”

Tiffany Dufu’s appointment as president of the Tory Burch Foundation signifies a promising future for women entrepreneurs and the vital role they play in driving economic growth and innovation. With her leadership, the foundation aims to create a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape for women across the United States.