Derek Kilmer is Senior Vice President for U.S. Program and Policy at The Rockefeller Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s new economic opportunity agenda — helping communities navigate economic and technological disruption, connect more people to good jobs, and change the systems that shape economic opportunity. He also leads the Foundation’s global and domestic policy teams, engaging leaders, civil society, businesses, and institutions to advance the Foundation’s mission.
Kilmer served six terms as a U.S. Representative from Washington State, where he focused on economic opportunity and helped pass landmark economic development legislation supporting distressed communities. He chaired the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, which advanced more than 200 bipartisan recommendations to help Congress function more effectively amid institutional strain and declining public trust.
Prior to Congress, Kilmer served in the Washington State Legislature and worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, as well as with a nonprofit focused on economic development. He earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a doctorate from the University of Oxford. He and his wife, Lauren, live in Washington, DC.
Authored Content
Apr 20 2026 Perspective A Fair Shot for Every Community: Why Good Jobs Are the American Promise Millions of Americans are ready to work but remain disconnected from opportunity. Expanding access to quality jobs is essential to restoring economic mobility and ensuring every community has a fair shot at a better future.