Trustee Victoria B. Bjorklund to Receive France’s Highest Distinction
Victoria B. Bjorklund, IAS Trustee since 2006, will be presented with the insignia of Knight of the Légion d’Honneur, France’s most prestigious decoration, in a ceremony to be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The honor recognizes Bjorklund’s extraordinary commitment to building French-American ties through philanthropy and her remarkable service to French nonprofit initiatives. The Friends of Fondation de France—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing French-American philanthropy, on whose board Bjorklund serves as Secretary—nominated her for the award in recognition of her pivotal role in fostering lasting transatlantic partnerships.
Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d’Honneur celebrates “exceptional civil and military contributions of outstanding merit to France.” As France’s highest distinction, it is awarded only by nomination from French ministers or members of the Order, and must be formally approved by the President of the Republic. The presentation of this honor to a non-French citizen, which is rare, reflects the depth of gratitude felt for Bjorklund’s decades-long work.
Bjorklund’s career epitomizes service, leadership, and innovation in the field of philanthropy. She is a Retired Partner of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York, where she founded and led the Firm’s Tax-Exempt Organizations Group for 30 years. Her expertise has helped shape the landscape of nonprofit law. For nine years, she shared her knowledge as a lecturer on the Law of Nonprofits at Harvard Law School. A champion of humanitarian causes, Bjorklund was instrumental in the founding of Doctors Without Borders USA in 1989 and continues to chair its Board of Advisors.
The Institute’s Board of Trustees has benefitted from Bjorklund’s expertise and guidance for almost two decades. She has played a pivotal role on the Audit Committee, including multiple terms as Chair and Co-Chair, and has been an active member of the Nominating and Governance Committee, including a term as Chair. In addition, Bjorklund has served on the Executive Committee for over a decade, helping to shape the Institute’s strategic direction and governance. Her dedication and steady stewardship have been invaluable to the Institute, furthering its mission of nourishing curiosity-driven scholarship.
A prolific author and speaker on nonprofit law, Bjorklund is co-author of the foundational text New York Nonprofit Law and Practice, now in its third edition with Lexis Publications. She actively shares her expertise with the Institute community; in 2021, she delivered a Trustee Talk titled “What Nonprofits Learned from COVID-19: Some Lasting Lessons.”
Bjorklund’s vision, dedication, and generosity continue to inspire, and her work exemplifies the commitment and excellence that lie at the heart of the Institute community.
Read more about Bjorklund’s honor on the Friends of Fondation de France website.
