Walton Family Foundation adds researchers to Walton Fellows Program

Bentonville-based Walton Family Foundation (WFF) has added two researchers to its Walton Fellows Program.

Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin “will undertake research on key topics to help improve economic performance across America’s Heartland states,” according to a WFF news release. Their terms as senior fellows are for one year.

Florida will focus his research on entrepreneurship while Kotkin will focus on millennials in the Heartland.

“We are proud to welcome both Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin to our growing team, as we expand our work to improve economic performance across the Heartland at this very critical time,” WFF Fellow Ross DeVol said in a statement.

WFF also said the research efforts of the three men will shift later this year to a think tank called Heartland Forward.

Heartland Forward will pursue its mission through independent, data-driven research, action-oriented convenings, such as its flagship convening, “Heartland Summit,” and impactful policy recommendations.

Additional information about the think tank was not disclosed.