Francine A. LeFrak

Francine A. LeFrak is president of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation and the Same Sky Foundation Fund. A successful philanthropist, women’s rights advocate and social entrepreneur, ‍Francine founded a trade initiative, Same Sky, to help women who were invisible become visible through the dignity of work.  

She began her employment and training programs with survivors of the Rwandan genocide and continued in the U.S. with women who were recently released from prison needing a second chance. As a philanthropist, she has helped thousands of women and girls use their talents to find opportunities for success and rise out of poverty. Her belief in a hand-up model is what sets her apart from others. By providing access to training, education and financial fluency programs Francine LeFrak is helping women be economically secure and flourish. She believes that introducing women to the tools they need for financial courage, enables them to face life’s challenges with strength and transform their lives with dignity. Through the Foundation’s numerous programs, Francine has impacted more than one million people. 

Before her work as a social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Francine had a successful career on Broadway and as a social issues film producer where she garnered multiple Tony, Emmy and Peabody awards. 

In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Francine has received the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor from the French Government, the Women Together Award from the United Nations, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Human Spirit Award from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, 2019 Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Accessories Pioneer Award and the UNFCU Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment Award.  Francine is a long-time member and Chair Emerita of Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board.