Teresa (Teri) Behrens, Ph.D., is executive director of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. With a strong staff of scholars and practitioners from across the field, Behrens leads the Johnson Center’s work in pursuit of our mission to be a global leader in helping individuals and organizations understand, strengthen, and advance philanthropy.

Behrens has been with the Johnson Center since 2009 and previously served as director of strategy and programs and as director of the Institute for Foundation and Donor Learning, overseeing the Johnson Center’s professional development offerings for donors and foundation staff, including The Grantmaking School and LearnPhilanthropy. Behrens is also the founding editor in chief of The Foundation Review, the first peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy.

Behrens previously served as director of evaluation for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. From 1995-2001, she consulted in program planning and evaluation for organizations such as the National Science Foundation-supported Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers. From 1990-1995, she was a program officer for the Michigan Strategic Fund for the Michigan Department of Commerce.

Behrens holds a doctorate in psychology from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Case Western Reserve University.