William Damon is a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence, and a Professor at Stanford University. His current research explores how people develop character and a sense of purpose in their work, family, and community relationships. He examines how young people can approach their careers with a focus on purpose, imagination, and high standards of excellence.

An author of numerous books, book chapters, and articles, Dr. Damon’s works include Greater Expectations: Overcoming the Culture of Indulgence in Our Homes and Schools (Free Press, 1996), Bringing in a New Era in Character Education (Hoover Press, 2002), Noble Purpose: The Joy of Living a Meaningful Life (Templeton Foundation Press, 2003), Taking Philanthropy Seriously: Beyond Noble Intentions to Responsible Giving (Indiana University Press, 2006), and most recently, The Path to Purpose (Free Press, 2008). He holds degree from Harvard University and the University of California at Berkeley.