John Tyler

John Tyler serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, where he lectures on governance, compliance, and social purpose businesses. He is also General Counsel and Secretary of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the Foundation's first Chief Ethics Officer since 2004. Tyler advises on philanthropy, fiduciary duties, and social impact, with expertise in nonprofit management and regulatory frameworks for social enterprises.

Education:

• J.D., University of Notre Dame, 1989
• B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1986

Research Interests: Tyler focuses on governance structures for nonprofits and social enterprises, regulatory challenges for social impact organizations, and the intersection of law with ethical accountability. He emphasizes clarity in organizational purpose and transparency in public-private partnerships.

Presentations:

• April 2025: Georgetown Law School Annual Conference on Tax-Exempt Organizations Law – Panel on 'Racial Justice in the Current Environment.'
• July 2025 & October 2025: Presentations at Academy of Management and Strategic Management Society on 'A Problem-Solving Perspective on Corporate Purpose.'

Teaching: Designs and teaches courses on foundations and social purpose businesses for Columbia University’s Master’s in Nonprofit Management program.