Our Story
Our Story
The Burke Foundation was established in Princeton, NJ, in 1989 by the late Jim E. Burke. During his 37 years with Johnson & Johnson, Jim Burke built a legacy of visionary leadership, and served as Chairman and CEO for the last 13 years of his tenure, when he oversaw a vast expansion of the company. His leadership of Johnson & Johnson during the Tylenol poisonings in the 1980s is regarded as a textbook example of how to handle a public relations crisis.
Jim received the highest civilian honor in the nation in 2000, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was named one of history’s greatest CEOs by Fortune magazine in 2003.
Jim had a passion for improving the health and well-being of children, and from the beginning of his philanthropic journey, chose to invest in tangible ways to help children and their families thrive. For over 25 years the Burke Foundation has supported programs that create equal opportunities for all families and children.
“Figure out what your gifts are, take intelligent risks, and do not be afraid of failure. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are and learn from them. Remember that being a business leader is about giving — not taking — and that you can and must make a difference.”
– Jim E. Burke (1925-2012)
This vision was heavily influenced by pediatrician and relative Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. One of the first pediatricians to research and raise awareness around the critical bonding relationship between mother and child, Dr. Brazelton taught a generation of parents and children how important touch, playfulness, curiosity, humility, and opportunity are to the healthy development of our children.
In 2012, James Burke, became president of The Burke Foundation and has continued its focus on the healthy development of children, together with the Board of Trustees, identifying the period between pregnancy and age two as a key focus area in which to invest Foundation resources to achieve the greatest impact for New Jersey children and their communities.
To achieve this vision, James and the Board hired the foundation’s first executive director, Atiya Weiss, and together they built a team of nonprofit leaders and subject matter experts who are carrying forward the organization’s ambitious plans.
Burke Foundation President James Burke being honored by Children’s Home Society of New Jersey.
“When we strengthen families, we strengthen the community. Our goal is for parents everywhere to work with supportive providers, feel confident in their parenting role, and form strong, resilient attachments with their children. To help achieve this, providers must be responsive to parents, knowledgeable about child development, and eager to see every parent succeed.”
– Dr. T. Berry Brazelton (1918-2018)