Roger D. Silk

Roger D. Silk is widely recognized as a leading expert in the field of private foundations and charitable trusts. As a founder and board member of several non-profit organizations, former bond trader at the World Bank, and Stanford-trained Ph.D. economist, Dr. Silk possesses a unique blend of experience, practical knowledge, and theoretical insight which have enabled him to help build Sterling into the market leader that it is today.

 As both a speaker and an author, Dr. Silk has educated a wide audience on a variety of issues related to private foundations. His articles have appeared in magazines such as Estate Planning, Philanthropy, the Journal of Financial Planning and Trusts & Estates. Dr. Silk is the author of two important studies relating to the optimal use of charitable vehicles in various tax planning contexts. He has spoken to audiences around the country on the types and uses of charitable entities, and has worked closely with one of the world's five largest banks to demonstrate the role private foundations can play for wealthy clients.


Dr. Silk earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in applied economics from Stanford University, as well as a B.A. in economics (with distinction). He was awarded the esteemed CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation by the Association of Investment Management and Research. He is the author, along with James Lintott, of Creating a Private Foundation (2003) and Managing Foundations and Charitable Trusts (2011).