Leading Voices

Glean insights from this diverse cadre of leading minds in philanthropy.

A Philanthropic Leader Paving the Way for Equity in San Francisco

Jamie Allison, an experienced leader in philanthropy, is on a mission to catalyze meaningful change in the eclectic San Francisco Bay Area.  Originally from Tennessee, Allison has cultivated deep roots in San Francisco for more than 20 years. Her daily enthusiasm for the city’s beauty and potential is palpable. Recently, while driving on Market Street with her godsons, Asher and Kyle, the view of downtown appeared before them. Allison bounced in her seat, grateful for and astonished by its splendor. “This is home for me. I 100% absolutely love San Francisco. I love waking up here every day and I [...more...]

Making Philanthropy Diverse, Accessible to All

Sara Lomelin is a true believer that anyone and everyone can be a philanthropist. In a rousing TED Talk, she invited 1.4 million rapt digital viewers to join her in creating a more democratic, inclusive future of philanthropy through the power of collective giving. Her efforts are gaining traction with new collective giving groups launching regularly and increased visibility for this giving model across various channels. She recently was awarded a coveted spot on the Forbes 50 Over 50: Impact List, for her leadership in the movement to diversify and democratize philanthropy. Lomelin is founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, a [...more...]

Championing Civic Technology for Human Progress

Dan’l Lewin, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the Computer History Museum, is a veteran of the technology industry with a career spanning back to 1977. His professional journey – from Apple to Microsoft – has been marked by a commitment to explore the intersection of technology and civic issues. After college, Lewin considered becoming a lawyer to satisfy his interest in doing good for society but ultimately determined that the only career that would quench his curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm would be in the emerging and innovative technology industry. Lewin believed his ambition to enhance the human [...more...]

‘All Girls Should Be Afforded the Same Rights and Freedoms My Daughters Enjoy’

In Bay Area philanthropy Stacey Keare is a trailblazing female leader in an arena typically dominated by men. For the past 20 years, Ms. Keare has supported girls’ issues internationally and women-run organizations. She also has shown a passionate interest in the power of women philanthropists to make an impact in the areas they care most about. Ms. Keare, who studied international relations at Stanford University and has a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School along with a law degree from UC Law SF (formerly Hastings), transformed her experience in civil and human rights into several philanthropic [...more...]

A Vital Center of Black Culture and History in San Francisco

When Monetta White first heard about the plans to build the Museum of the African Diaspora, MoAD, she recalls thinking, “Oh my God, we are going to have a Black museum!”  Today, that vivid memory symbolizes the beginning of her journey, which has led her from being a donor and volunteer to her current role as MoAD’s CEO and executive director. Inspired by the wisdom of her grandmother, who instilled in her the importance of preserving culture and advocating for the community, Monetta White has dedicated her career to the celebration of Black culture, food, and art. Initially, as a [...more...]

Using the Full Philanthropic Toolbox Using the Full Philanthropic Toolbox

As the San Francisco Foundation’s (SFF) Chief Impact Officer, Judith Bell’s mission is to align the foundation’s many tools around […more…]

Wilma Melville: Dogged Determination  Wilma Melville: Dogged Determination 

Wilma Melville is the most inspirational person I’ve ever met. She has done more during her retirement than most people […more…]

Moving DAF Inertia into Action Moving DAF Inertia into Action

David Risher is, like you’d assume of many high-level tech execs, into big goals. The Amazon alum’s nonprofit, Worldreader, has […more…]

Using the Full Philanthropic Toolbox to Advance Racial Equity and Economic Inclusion Using the Full Philanthropic Toolbox to Advance Racial Equity and Economic Inclusion

Colleen Gregerson led an exciting international development career raising $1.9 billion for global health initiatives, traveling to Africa and tapping […more…]

On a Mission to Change the Energy of Money On a Mission to Change the Energy of Money

While a UCLA undergrad, Valerie Red-Horse Mohl dreamed of being a filmmaker.  But Red-Horse Mohl needed a day job, and […more…]

With a Musician’s Ear, Armando Castellano Steps Aside and Listens With a Musician’s Ear, Armando Castellano Steps Aside and Listens

As one of the only Latino students in a big elementary school, a young Armando Castellano was put in a […more…]

Systems-Change Provocateur Systems-Change Provocateur

The 2013 murder of an 8-year-old named Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother and her partner, dominated the […more…]

Time to Switch ‘Our Investment Thesis’? Time to Switch ‘Our Investment Thesis’?

Michael Tubbs was just 26 when he was elected mayor of Stockton in 2016. Raised by a low-income, single mother, […more…]

Evolving from ‘Checkbook Philanthropy’ to Community Collaboration Evolving from ‘Checkbook Philanthropy’ to Community Collaboration

When Susan Hirsch started Hirsch Philanthropy Partners in San Francisco in 1999, the field of philanthropic advising was nascent.  As […more…]

Lifting up the Region that Gave Her So Much Lifting up the Region that Gave Her So Much

Nicole Taylor’s passion for “power-building” and lifting up those living on the margins has its inspirational roots 350 miles south […more…]

Mona Sinha’s Journey to Gender Justice Mona Sinha’s Journey to Gender Justice

It’s a long way from Calcutta (now called Kolkata) for Mona Sinha, Board Chair of Women Moving Millions. Growing up […more…]

The ‘Other,’ Kalyan Balaven The ‘Other,’ Kalyan Balaven

As the first person of color to serve as Head of Dunn School in Los Olivos, California, Kalyan (“Kal”) Balaven […more…]

A Life Spent Trying to Solve the Bay Area’s Biggest Problems A Life Spent Trying to Solve the Bay Area’s Biggest Problems

Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, grew up in Oakland and did not consider himself the smartest or […more…]

Philanthropy is a Family Business Philanthropy is a Family Business

Charlie Casey inherited the family business, Pacific Foundation Services (PFS), and turned it into a philanthropic juggernaut.  After graduating from […more…]

Bringing Environmental Justice Home Bringing Environmental Justice Home

Rhea Suh spent years working for both the Hewlett and the Packard foundations here in the Bay Area before setting […more…]

The Future of Black Nonprofit Power in California The Future of Black Nonprofit Power in California

Wanted: $100 million for an organization you have never heard of to be given away as unrestricted grants to Black-led […more…]

Philanthropy’s ‘Jerry Maguire’ May Just Change the Game Philanthropy’s ‘Jerry Maguire’ May Just Change the Game

Lateefah Simon is on a roll. An eloquent and rapid speaker, she expounds on how philanthropy needs to change, how […more…]

Sparks Charts Justice-Charged Path for Masto Foundation Sparks Charts Justice-Charged Path for Masto Foundation

In 1942, Harry and Masie Masto – along with more than 110,000 Japanese Americans – were sent to a World […more…]

‘What Good Is a Platform if You Don’t Use It for Good?’ ‘What Good Is a Platform if You Don’t Use It for Good?’

I have known CNN host Lisa Ling for nearly a decade now. I never saw her as anything but a […more…]

‘You’re Not Going To Be a Philanthropist Forever’ ‘You’re Not Going To Be a Philanthropist Forever’

It can be argued that philanthropy swears too much allegiance to the idea of perpetuity. That the charitable foundations bearing […more…]

Come to the Conversation Curious Come to the Conversation Curious

“Come to the conversation curious.” If Emily Scott has a mantra, this is it. No matter what she is doing, […more…]

Money as Medicine Money as Medicine

In 2018, a Native American philanthropy professional dropped a bomb on the industry. In his book, Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom […more…]

Investing With an Eye Toward Equity Investing With an Eye Toward Equity

As president and CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF), James W. Head has steered the nearly 100-year-old institution […more…]

Using ‘Whatever Leverage’ She Has to Help Vulnerable Youth Using ‘Whatever Leverage’ She Has to Help Vulnerable Youth

After 40 years of leading organizations dedicated to stopping domestic violence and supporting imperiled youth, JaMel Perkins knows a thing […more…]