Rip Rapson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kresge Foundation, transforming it from a foundation that funded building projects to one that seeks to build and strengthen pathways to opportunity for people with low incomes living in U.S. cities, including in its hometown of Detroit.
Rapson previously served as President of the McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis, where he led early childhood development efforts, created a regional public-private-philanthropic economic development organization, and enhanced environmental protections along the Mississippi River. He earlier served as the Deputy Mayor of Minneapolis and was responsible for designing a $400 million neighborhood revitalization program, revamping the municipal budgeting process, and elevating the city’s commitment to children and families.