Michael Moody joined the Johnson Center in 2010 as the inaugural Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy — the world’s first endowed chair for family philanthropy — and held this position until 2023. In this role, Michael pursued a comprehensive, international program of applied research, training, and other activities to lift up family philanthropy.

Trained as a cultural sociologist, Michael has served as an accessible guide to the rapidly evolving and complex world of philanthropy and social innovation for over 30 years, helping diverse audiences see the vital role that giving plays in society and in their own lives.

Michael is co-author of the books Understanding Philanthropy: Its Meaning and Mission, The Philanthropy Reader, and Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving, as well as a variety of other publications. Michael is a frequent speaker at venues across the U.S. and worldwide, and a sought-after commentator on philanthropic trends and research. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and elsewhere.

Before joining the Johnson Center, Michael was one of the first employees of Indiana University’s renowned Center on Philanthropy, held faculty positions at Boston University and the University of Southern California, and ran Moody Philanthropic Consulting. Michael holds degrees from Indiana University and the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in sociology from Princeton.