Wall Street Journal Ranks USD Board Chair Emeritus Donald Knauss Among Top Corporate Board Directors

The inaugural ranking factors in corporate experience, company performance and individual characteristics

In the Wall Street Journal’s May 2025 ranking of America’s top 250 corporate board directors, Donald Knauss, chair emeritus of USD’s Board of Trustees, ranked among the top 20 nationally at #13.

The report called out Knauss’ deep corporate experience and “individual characteristics,” including his past experience serving as the CEO of Clorox and multiple roles on influential corporate boards. Knauss is a member of the board of directors for the retailer Target, healthcare and pharmaceutical supplier McKesson, and food company Kellanova (formerly the Kellogg Corporation). 

“The University of San Diego is very fortunate to have Mr. Knauss' leadership on the Board of Trustees and has benefitted from his integrity and vision,” said USD President James T. Harris, III, DEd. “Like many of our board members and volunteers, Mr. Knauss lends his talents and expertise to public, private, and community organizations and boards around the world - and this ranking is a testament to his experience and reputation as a leader.”

Knauss has served on the university’s board since 2008, and was chair from 2016 to 2023. Knauss and his wife Ellie, who are parents of a USD graduate, have given a transformational $50 million to USD. Their giving established the Knauss Center for Business Education, a state of the art facility housing USD’s business programs, and the school was named the Knauss School of Business in honor of Don and Ellie’s generosity.

— USD News Center