Kofi Appenteng is the President of the Greentree Foundation. Founded in 1982, Greentree Foundation is a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by Betsey Cushing Roosevelt, the former daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, stewarding 408 acres of land in its commitment to peace, philanthropy, and sustainability. It is also committed to causes such as international justice and human rights issues, hosting events for the United Nations by providing its facilities for UN use, and accommodating visiting dignitaries. Among their programs for climate change mitigation and water protection, they also have staff dedicated to land management and grassland restoration; that includes managing invasive species with a unique canopy-gap strategy.
Previously, Appenteng served as president of the Africa-America Institute (AAI). Founded in 1953, AAI is a premier U.S.-based organization dedicated to bridging Africa and America to catalyze a more sustainable and equitable world.
Throughout his career, Appenteng has been active with numerous civil society organizations. He serves on the Atlantic Institute Governing Board, the International Advisory Board of IE University, the Board of the Greentree Foundation, the Board of Poets and Writers, Inc., and the Honorary Council of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). He previously served as board chair of the Ford Foundation, the Community Service Society of New York and ICTJ. In recognition of his work in business and philanthropy, he was named a “Great American Immigrant” by the Carnegie Corporation in 2013.
Born in Ghana, Appenteng began his education in England where he completed his primary and secondary education and then came to the United States to attend college at Wesleyan University. At Wesleyan, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree; was awarded the Butterfield Prize for character, leadership, and intellectual commitment; and captained the soccer and athletic teams while earning recognition as a member of the All-American soccer team.
He earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia University where he was an international fellow. Appenteng then began his career as a corporate lawyer and, in 1994, became the first Black African to become a partner at a major New York City law firm.
