About Claire

Claire is an activist and idealist who has spent her career as an engaged civic leader. She speaks and writes about the synergy of capitalism and philanthropy, encouraging fundraisers, financial advisors, corporate leaders, and politicians to harness America’s tradition of moral entrepreneurship to solve our nation’s perpetual problems of poverty and inequality.
Dr. Claire Gaudiani describes the most exceptional characteristic of our nation — citizen generosity. Gaudiani spoke at United Way of Greater New Haven’s Women’s Initative Breakfast on April 26, 2012, painting a portrait of women throughout history who worked to make the words of the Declaration of Independence an actual experience for every person in the country. She encouraged women today to be part of this awesome tradition, to dream big, and to continue working for social justice.
Claire has been a teacher and scholar throughout her life, at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels.  She is proud of distinguished teaching awards from Indiana University, Purdue University, and New York University. She currently teaches confirmation classes to middle schoolers at St. Paul the Apostle RC Church in New York City. She is the author of scholarly books on 17th century French literature, on foreign language pedagogy, and on the management of foreign language departments at the university level. She has held fellowships from the National Humanities Center and the American Council of Learned Societies.

“Claire Gaudiani has a well-earned reputation as one of the leading thinkers about American philanthropy”

David Gergen, Director,
Center for Public Leadership, Harvard University
She is a co-founder of the Joseph Lauder Institute for International Studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, former president of Connecticut College (her alma mater), a former visiting scholar at the Yale Law School, and director of graduate studies at the Heyman Center for Philanthropic Studies at New York University. Gaudiani has also served as a director of many corporate and social enterprises, including the New London (Connecticut) Development Corporation, the National Council for Economic Education, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Henry Luce Foundation.   She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fulbright Distinguished Fellow and recipient of the Rosso Medal for Distinguished Service to Philanthropy from Indiana University, as well as many honorary doctorates. In recent years Claire has dedicated herself to advocacy for the economic and social benefits of philanthropy, She holds a PhD and master’s degree in French literature from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree, also in French, from Connecticut College. She has been married, for 55 years, to David Burnett, PhD.  They have two married children and five (outstanding) grandchildren.
2023

Learn more about Claire

Get to know Claire further as she reflects on life, family, and career in this collection personal writings. More videos of Claire’s speaking engagements can be found by searching Claire Gaudiani on YouTube.

Love Notes

Falling in love is an event, but creating love that lasts a lifetime is a process. Love Notes shows you and your partner how to control this process.

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