Travis Baird

Travis Baird is the executive director of the Maverick Capital Foundation (MCF). The purpose of MCF is to instill a culture of philanthropy in the firm (Maverick Capital) by educating employees on issues affecting the community and funding highly effective organizations that create opportunities for economic mobility. Travis directly leads the New York region’s grantmaking and helps guide the strategies for MCF Dallas and MCF San Francisco. He is actively engaging the boards of every city to make impactful and equitable grantmaking while thoughtfully focusing on our sectors of focus: education, postsecondary access and success, survival, workforce development, and criminal justice reform.

Before entering philanthropy, Travis was an entrepreneur running corporate wellness start-ups. He managed a team of personal trainers, vendors, and general contractors across the city servicing private businesses, luxury condominiums, and hotels.

Travis holds a B.A. in Political Science and government and a B.F.A .in Theater from New York University. He spent the earliest parts of his career as an actor performing at various off-Broadway theaters and across the country. Travis is a native New Yorker who grew up in Brooklyn and was raised by his mother, a former public school teacher who instilled a passion for being a leader and giving back to his community. He sits on the board of Beginning with Children, a charter management organization in Brooklyn that focuses on a community-driven approach to creating equitable outcomes for students. He joined the philanthropic sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement. Travis is committed to advocating for his community as he lends expertise and perspective from living through the issues philanthropy is trying to address.