Head of Strategic Learning and Evaluation, The Atlantic Philanthropies
Ben Kerman, Ph.D., is head of Strategic Learning and Evaluation at Atlantic Philanthropies, an international foundation winding up its limited life of grantmaking in support of children and youth, aging, population health, and human rights. Kerman is involved with the design and implementation of Atlantic’s learning agenda and final phase grantmaking.
Kerman is overseeing the plan to synthesize Atlantic’s rich and varied experience to inform substantive systems reform while also improving both the implementation of change strategies and philanthropic practice. In addition to meta-evaluation activities examining advocacy practice, capital grantmaking, and Atlantic’s limited life strategy, Kerman has evaluated a diverse set of initiatives ranging from community-based school improvement and school-based health services to immigration policy reform to efforts to enhance financial security for older Americans.
Prior to joining Atlantic in 2013, Kerman managed program evaluation, program development, and applied research projects at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Additional principal activities have focused on direct services, advocacy and system reform in child welfare, juvenile justice, education, health, and mental health.
Kerman is a clinical psychologist, past clinical fellow, and adjunct faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center. He currently serves as treasurer of the Board for Let There Be Light International, an NGO working to facilitate off-grid solar electrification among impoverished residents, schools, and health clinics in sub-Saharan East Africa. His recent board and committee work includes service for The American Evaluation Association, The Foster Family Treatment Association, the Child Welfare League of America, the Neighborhood Music School, and Young Audiences of Connecticut.