Joan Harrington

Joan Harrington is a Research Fellow at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Previously, she served as an associate clinical professor and director of academic and professional development at Santa Clara University School of Law until 2014. She currently lectures at the Law School and teaches the course “Law of Nonprofit Organizations.”

Her professional background includes roles as general counsel at Save the Children, governance consulting for nonprofits, and board leadership (e.g., chair of Public Advocates’ Board of Governors). She is a member of the Partnership on AI’s AI & Philanthropy Steering Committee.

Education: Graduated from Stanford University, earned a J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law School (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif).

Harrington’s expertise spans nonprofit legal frameworks, ethical governance, and the intersection of AI with philanthropy. Her work emphasizes strategic planning, program design, and ethical practices in the social sector.

Awards:

• Order of the Coif
• Magna cum Laude (UPenn Law)

Advising & Leadership: Directed Social Sector Ethics at the Ethics Center, advised nonprofit boards on governance, and consulted philanthropists on strategic initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Partnership on AI’s AI & Philanthropy committee, focusing on ethical AI applications in charitable sectors.