John Irons leads the Future of Work Team at the Ford Foundation, supporting US and global efforts to create economic opportunities and ensure that prosperity is widely shared regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or caste.

John joined the Ford Foundation in 2016. Previously, he was Managing Director, Global Markets, at the Rockefeller Foundation, leading initiatives in the US with a focus on employment and advising teams globally. Before entering philanthropy, he held positions at the Economic Policy Institute, The Center for American Progress, and OMB Watch in Washington DC. Prior to coming to Washington, Dr. Irons was a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Economics at Amherst College.

Dr. Irons earned a BA with High Honors in economics from Swarthmore College, and a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.