Builders Vision Names Matt Knott CEO

The Chicago investment and philanthropy platform also appointed Lisa Forbes as Chief Strategy Officer.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People

Builders Vision appointed Matt Knott as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding founder Lukas Walton, who will remain as Executive Chairman. The organization also named Lisa Forbes as Chief Strategy Officer.

Why it matters

The leadership change places Knott, who has served as interim CEO for the past year, in charge of a sustainability-focused platform with more than $20 billion in assets under management. Walton's continued role as Executive Chairman signals ongoing founder involvement during the transition.

Builders Vision manages more than $20 billion in assets across grants, direct investments, and fund investments in public and private markets. Matt Knott joined the organization in 2019 as President and Chief Operating Officer before taking on the interim CEO role. The announcement does not specify how the portfolio allocation may change under the new leadership.

The players

Builders Vision

A Chicago-based sustainability-focused investment and philanthropy platform founded in 2018 that deploys capital through grants, direct investments, and fund investments.

Matt Knott

A former President of Feeding America who joined Builders Vision in 2019 and now leads the organization as CEO.

Lukas Walton

The founder of Builders Vision who has served as its CEO since 2018 and will remain as Executive Chairman.

The details

Builders Vision, founded in 2018 by Lukas Walton and based in Chicago, focuses its investments on sustainable food and agriculture, healthy oceans, and clean energy. Knott previously served as President of Feeding America, and Forbes has served as the firm's General Counsel and previously held roles at Uptake and Sheffield Asset Management.

2018: Builders Vision is founded by Lukas Walton.
2019: Matt Knott joins Builders Vision as President and Chief Operating Officer.
November 6, 2026: Builders Vision announces the appointments of Knott as CEO and Forbes as Chief Strategy Officer.

Market Landscape

Builders Vision's model of combining philanthropy with sustainability-focused public and private market investing dates to its 2018 founding by Lukas Walton. The leadership transition keeps that founder-plus-operator structure in place while bringing in an executive with nonprofit leadership experience from Feeding America.

For Chicago-area professionals and sustainability-focused investors, the leadership change may influence which sectors Builders Vision prioritizes in future grants and investments. The announcement does not indicate near-term changes to fund offerings or philanthropic programs.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions at mission-driven investment firms often signal shifts in operating priorities, so stakeholders should watch for updated strategy statements from Knott's team. Founder participation through an Executive Chairman role can provide continuity during such changes.