Kristen J. Molyneaux

About Kristen J. Molyneaux

Kristen J. Molyneaux, PhD is President and Co-Founder of Lever for Change, a nonprofit that creates equitable access in the world of philanthropy, enabling donors to discover and invest in organizations with transformative potential. As of early 2025, Lever for Change has influenced $2.5B in grants distributed worldwide. Known for driving innovative ideas to create impact and execute complex initiatives, Kristen helped launch Lever for Change as a start-up of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 2019. As President, she is responsible for facilitating transformative philanthropy through strategic partnerships and catalyzing substantial funding for social change. Her team\'s achievements include driving a paradigm shift in philanthropy, launching 15+ high-profile open calls and supporting philanthropists including MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving, Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, Reid Hoffman, the LEGO Foundation and more in achieving their strategic goals through innovative philanthropic vehicles. Kristen co-founded LFC after she co-designed and executed MacArthur’s strategy for the first two $100M challenges in 2017 and 2019. A progressive leader who prioritizes collaboration and inclusion, Kristen leads a diverse team focused on advocating for inclusive progress and ensuring all voices are represented in work with a wide array of funding partners, donor communities, and organizations seeking social impact. She comes to philanthropy from education where she started as an elementary school teacher with a deep passion for global and gender issues. Kristen earned her Masters and PhD in education policy with a focus on international education. She wrote her dissertation on secondary education and female educators in Uganda and spent two years in the Peace Corps - training teachers in Uganda and the Cape Verde Islands. A frequent world traveler who’s spent a lot of time in Africa - working, traveling, going on safari and gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, she currently lives in Chicago with her miniature dachshund. In her spare time she is likely traveling, playing the ukulele and collecting art. Opinions expressed are her own. Reshares aren\'t endorsements.

Experience

1. President & Co-founder

   Lever For Change

   Oct 2024 — Present

Education

• Florida State University

  Master of Science (M.S.)

  2004 — 2005

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  2006 — 2011

• SUNY Oswego

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Ethnography
• Policy
• Science Education
• Grants
• University Teaching
• Public Speaking
• Policy Analysis
• Teacher Training
• Grant Writing
• Nonprofits
• Policy Analysis (Education Specific)
• Educational Leadership
• Program Evaluation
• Intercultural Communication
• Workshop Facilitation
• Philanthropy
• Fundraising
• Program Management
• International Education
• Qualitative Research
• Curriculum Design
• Education Policy
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Higher Education
• International Development
• International Education Development
• Program Development
• Girls in Education
• Teaching
• Stem Education
• Proposal Writing
• Curriculum Development
• Capacity Building
• Research