About

History

The W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 in Los Angeles by William Myron Keck, founder of The Superior Oil Company.

Mr. Keck envisioned a philanthropic institution that would provide far-reaching benefits for humanity. By taking a bold, creative approach to grantmaking, he created a legacy that the Foundation proudly upholds today.

Over the years, the Foundation has focused on Science & Engineering Research; Medical Research; Undergraduate Education; and Southern California. Each of our grant programs invests in people and programs that are making a difference in the quality of life, now and for the future.

Supporting pioneering discoveries in science, engineering and medical research has been and continues to be our mandate. By funding the work of leading researchers, the establishment of unique laboratories and research centers, and the purchase of sophisticated instruments, we are laying the groundwork for breakthrough discoveries and new technologies that will save lives, provide innovative solutions to complex problems and add immeasurably to our understanding of life on Earth and our place in the universe.

Our support of Southern California-based organizations that enrich the lives of our region’s residents has expanded and deepened over the years to focus on under resourced communities. We place a special emphasis on children, youth, and their families, with the goal of providing safe, healthy, supportive environments that prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

We believe that a high-quality, well-rounded college education is vital for tomorrow’s leaders. The Foundation supports undergraduate education through Board initiated special projects that promote inventive approaches to instruction and effective involvement of students in research at colleges across the nation.

Founder

William Myron Keck (1880-1964) migrated to Southern California from Pennsylvania shortly before the turn of the 20th century. Working in the oil fields, he learned the business literally from the ground up and eventually became an independent drilling contractor. In 1921, he founded The Superior Oil Company. Mr. Keck’s dedication, willingness to take calculated risks and strong interest in emerging technologies enabled Superior Oil to become a global leader in the exploration and production of oil and gas. Under Mr. Keck’s guidance, the company pioneered new exploration and drilling methods, including the first successful use of directional drilling in California (1930), the first use of a reflection seismograph to aid in locating hydrocarbons (1933) and construction of the first offshore oil platform off the coast of Louisiana (1938). In 1954, Mr. Keck established the charitable foundation bearing his name, with the vision of providing far-reaching benefits to humanity through imaginative grants supporting scientific discoveries and new technologies.

Governance

Leadership

Robert A. Day

Robert A. Day

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (1995-2021)
Chairman (2022-Present)

Joseph Day

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Stephen M. Keck

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Leadership

Stephen M. Keck

Co-Chair &
Co-Chief Executive Officer

Joseph Day

Co-Chair &
Co-Chief Executive Officer

OFFICERS & SENIOR ADVISOR

Joseph Day
Co-Chair &
Co-Chief Executive Officer

Stephen M. Keck
Co-Chair & 
Co-Chief Executive Officer

Lucinda Day Fournier
Vice President

Matt Day, Sr.
Vice Chair

Allison M. Keller
Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Stephanie L. Garacochea
Corporate Secretary & Director of Operations

Dr. James S. Economou
Senior Medical Advisor

Members & Directors

Stephanie Argyros
James A. Baker, III
Peter K. Barker

Todd Barker
Robert Bradway
Dr. William R. Brody
Peter Carlton
Dorothy W. Day
Jonathan S. Day

Joseph Day

Matt Day, Sr.
Matt Day, Jr.
Dr. James S. Economou
Dr. Thomas E. Everhart
Brian A. Finch
Dr. Richard N. Foster
Lucinda Day Fournier
Theodore J. Fournier*

Bradford Freeman
Mark C. Holscher
Christopher Hopkins
Maria Hummer-Tuttle
Brighton Keck
Erin A. Keck*
Stephen M. Keck
Theodore J. Keck
Kent Kresa

Sherry Lansing

Dr. Kelsey Martin
Kerry K. Mott*
Ronald P. Spogli
Dr. Edward M. Stolper
Elizabeth M. Vaughan *
Sean Vaughan *

*Denotes Member only

Staff

Allison M. Keller
Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Rosie Cumming
Operations and Accounting Assistant

Dr. Dorothy Fleisher
Senior Program Director

Melissa Gage
Program Coordinator

Dr. Justin Gallivan
Senior Program Director

Stephanie L. Garacochea
Director of Operations & Corporate Secretary

Linna Hanson
Program Officer

Rob Harrison
Controller

Sarah Hibler
Grants Manager

Dr. Jean J. Kim
Senior Program Director

Susana Kwan
Program Coordinator

Dr. Kevin Moses
Senior Program Director

Connor Noda
Program Coordinator & Operations Associate

Dr. Thomas Rieker
Senior Program Director

Sandy Seeley
Paralegal 

Anneli Stone
Program Director