The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has conferred an Honorary Fellowship on Chris Oechsli in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the School and his global leadership in philanthropy and social equity.
The Honorary Fellowship is one of LSE’s most prestigious awards, acknowledging individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the university and its community over a sustained period, above and beyond reasonable expectations.
Christopher G. Oechsli is the President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies, a charitable foundation created in 1982. During his time at the foundation, Mr Oechsli guided its ambitious global grantmaking and oversaw its historic closure in 2020, having invested an astonishing $8 billion to advance equity and dignity worldwide.
Inspired by Chuck Feeney’s ‘Giving While Living’ philosophy, Chris was instrumental in establishing the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme and the LSE’s International Inequalities Institute (III) through a landmark £64.4 million grant—the largest in LSE’s history.
Founded in 2015, the III is a centre for rigorous research into the nature, causes and consequences of the multiple inequalities afflicting our world today. The Institute’s research covers important topics, including gender justice, intergenerational inequality, perceptions of inequality, quality of employment, class, elites, and tax justice. The transformational gift from Atlantic Philanthropies also endowed the Amartya Sen Chair in Inequality Studies, which is currently held by the Institute’s Director, Professor Francisco H. G. Ferreira.
Launched in 2016, the AFSEE Programme provides an innovative, fully-funded, and inequalities-focused fellowship programme. It aims to build a 400-strong inspiring community of policymakers, researchers, activists, practitioners, artists, and movement-builders from around the world over two decades. In its first nine cohorts, the programme has brought together over 150 change-makers from over 60 countries across the globe.
Professor Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of LSE, said: “Inequality is among the most urgent global challenges of our time, and addressing it lies at the heart of LSE’s purpose. Chris Oechsli’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in enabling the School to tackle this challenge through initiatives like the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme. We are proud to honour Chris with an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his lifelong commitment to our shared values, as well as his extraordinary contributions to LSE."
Commenting, Dr Claire Gordon, Chair of AFSEE Governing Board said: “As the AFSEE programme approaches its tenth anniversary, this is an opportune moment to celebrate the crucial contribution of Chris Oechsli to LSE with this honorary fellowship award.
“Chris has been a committed and shrewd champion of AFSEE since its establishment in 2016. He was instrumental in identifying LSE — with its strong social science tradition — as the home for one of the seven Atlantic Fellowship programmes.
“Through his unassuming leadership, deep expertise and quiet wisdom, he has supported the programme’s leadership, ensuring its secure embedding at LSE and creating the conditions for it to thrive. Thank you, Chris, for making us one of the Atlantic bets and for inspiring us with your leadership and your vision to work towards ending social and economic inequality in the world.”
Professor Armine Ishkanian, Executive Director of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) said: “Chris Oechsli is a highly accomplished and internationally respected leader in the worlds of philanthropy, international business, and law. As the CEO and President of The Atlantic Philanthropies, Chris has made significant contributions to the LSE over many years.
"These include his leadership in awarding the landmark grant of £64 million from The Atlantic Philanthropies in 2016 to LSE to establish the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme, the donation to create the Amartya Sen Chair in Inequality Studies, and a further generous donation in support of the construction of the Centre Building. It is therefore fitting that the School recognises Chris’ exemplary leadership, contributions, and achievements with this prestigious award.”