Nationally recognized CEO and nonprofit leader brings strong commitment to civil discourse, leadership development, and pluralism.
Francesca Schuler has been named executive director of Dialogue Vanderbilt, a university initiative focused on fostering free expression and civil discourse . Schuler brings a wealth of cross-sector leadership experience in both the private and nonprofit arenas, most recently serving as CEO of The Nantucket Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to pluralism and dialogue.
“Francesca is a dynamic, values-driven leader who believes in the power of conversation to create positive change,” said Darren Reisberg, vice chancellor for the Division of Administration. “Her background in storytelling, operational excellence, and civic engagement makes her uniquely positioned to grow Dialogue Vanderbilt’s impact on campus and beyond.”
In addition to her work with The Nantucket Project, Schuler has led and advised companies across the consumer, fitness, and retail sectors, including BevMo!, In-Shape Health Clubs, Treasury Wine Estates, Method, and Gap Inc. A Presidential Leadership Scholar and member of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being, she is known for aligning strategic growth with social purpose and building high-performing, mission-centered teams.
Schuler holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and a B.A. with honors in Comparative Literature from Brown University. She resides in Sonoma, California, with her husband and two children.
About Dialogue Vanderbilt
Launched in 2023, Dialogue Vanderbilt serves as a hub for programming and partnerships that promote civil discourse and free expression across campus and beyond. Through workshops, lectures, courses, and student-led initiatives, the program supports Vanderbilt’s broader commitment to respectful inquiry and open dialogue as essential elements of higher education and democratic society.
For more information, visit vanderbilt.edu/dialogue-vanderbilt.