Forward Facing: May 2025 — A Note from Wendy Connors, Hertz Foundation President
Last month, I was in San Francisco for the Hertz Foundation Spring Board and Council meeting and dinner, which convened board and council members, fellows, staff, partners and special Bay Area guests.
Throughout every meeting, conversation and presentation, I was reminded of the remarkable strength and resilience of the Hertz community. Here are just a few examples:
- Hertz Fellow Jared Kaplan, co-founder of Anthropic, discussed the company’s distinct role within the AI ecosystem, as a public benefit company with a commitment to AI safety—an example of the moral clarity that defines Hertz Fellows.
- Hertz Council members met with San Francisco Fire Department leadership to explore how fellows might apply their expertise and creativity to help prevent tragedies like the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
- Hertz community members shared personal stories about the real and growing impact of uncertainty in science funding, underscoring the need for consistent investment in research and innovation.
Upon reflection, three things became abundantly clear to me: 1) the landscape for science funding is rapidly evolving, requiring adaptability and long-term thinking, 2) private philanthropy is becoming increasingly vital, and 3) the Hertz community is uniquely equipped to meet this moment, and here’s why.
The Hertz Foundation is, and always has been, an unwavering and stabilizing force.
In 1957, John and Fannie Hertz launched the Hertz Foundation in response to an urgent need for leadership in science and technology.
In the decades since, we’ve refined our approach for outsized impact. Critically, we provide researchers with the consistent funding and research freedom needed to pursue bold ideas. Just as important, we connect fellows to each other, as lifelong members of the Hertz community.
In San Francisco, it was gratifying to witness this Hertz Community in action. Fellows are meeting today’s challenges with curiosity, creativity and collaboration. So while some organizations are facing pressure to contract or change course in times like these, I can confidently say: The Hertz Foundation was built for times like these.
Together, we can fuel breakthroughs that shape the future for generations to come. Thank you for doing this important work with us.
Looking forward,
Wendy Connors
President, Hertz Foundation