Knight Foundation welcomes Kevin Stephenson to board of trustees

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has appointed Kevin Stephenson to its board of trustees, bringing nearly three decades of expertise in endowment management and mission-driven investing to the foundation’s leadership.

Stephenson, president of WIT, LLC, the investment team of Walton Enterprises, has played a pivotal role in managing the Walton Family Foundation and other major endowments. His appointment reflects Knight Foundation’s commitment to strengthening its investment strategies and supporting informed and engaged communities.

“I am deeply honored to join Knight Foundation’s board of trustees,” said Stephenson. “With twenty-eight years of experience in endowment management, I am committed to supporting and contributing to the foundation’s long-term impact. I’m excited by the opportunities we have to collaborate in meaningful ways.”

Before founding WIT in 2019, Stephenson spent twenty-one years at Cambridge Associates, where he advised foundation and university endowments, including serving as the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) for both Knight Foundation (2005–19) and the University of Arkansas Foundation. 

“Kevin’s deep expertise in endowment management and mission-driven investing makes him an invaluable addition to our board. His leadership in advancing diverse investment strategies and his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes will strengthen our long-term impact. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the insights he will bring to Knight Foundation,” said board chair Chris Austen.

At Cambridge Associates, Stephenson also established and led the firm’s Mission-Related Investing Group in 2008, pioneering impact-driven investment strategies for foundation and taxable portfolios. His expertise earned him two nominations for Investment Consultant of the Year by Institutional Investor.

Stephenson holds a Ph.D. in economics from Cornell University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He currently serves on the board of directors of the University of Arkansas Foundation and sits on the investment committees of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and African Parks Foundation, USA.

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