Dr. Benjamin Harwood

Biography

Ben is a successful development leader with extensive experience securing funds for conservation, education, and youth recreation programs, as well as parks and public lands. He has been involved in community outreach programs serving diverse audiences, building partnerships in both the public and private sectors. Before starting his current role at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, he worked for 14 years at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (National Park Service). His work primarily focused on securing grants for operations and programs, principally from institutional funding sources including foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Ben is excited to join the University Development and Alumni Relations team at Berkeley Optometry as they approach the school’s 100th anniversary in 2023, seizing the opportunity to help achieve significant campaign goals for the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science. Originally born in New Jersey, he grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he enjoys the region’s extraordinary coast and open spaces, and loves spending time with his family.

Research Interests