Jacob Harold

Executive Vice President at Candid

Jacob Harold is a prominent social change strategist, author, and executive currently serving as the Executive Vice President at Candid, a leading data platform for civil society. He played a crucial role in the formation of Candid in 2019 through the merger of GuideStar and the Foundation Center, where he previously held the position of President & CEO for over six years.1 2 3

Professional Background

Candid: As Executive Vice President, Harold has been instrumental in shaping the organization's strategic direction and overseeing its operations since its inception.4
GuideStar: Before joining Candid, he was the CEO of GuideStar, where he co-led the merger that established Candid as a significant player in providing data and insights for nonprofit organizations.2 5
Philanthropy and Advocacy: Harold has also worked with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as a Program Officer and has experience as a consultant with The Bridgespan Group. His early career included roles focused on environmental advocacy with organizations like Greenpeace and the Rainforest Action Network.1 2

Education

Jacob Harold holds an AB (summa cum laude) in Ethics and Intellectual History from Duke University and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he specialized in corporate social responsibility and strategic philanthropy.1

Contributions and Publications

In addition to his executive roles, Harold is an author of "The Toolbox: Methods and Mindsets for Social Impact," which focuses on strategies for effective social change in contemporary contexts. He has also contributed to various boards, including the United States Climate Action Network.2 3