2018 Board of Directors Nominees

Transcription

1 2018 Board of Directors Nominees Board of Directors First-Term Nominees STEVE CASEY Oftentimes we view our identity as a mix of roles. We introduce ourselves by what we do professionally, by our community involvement; we make mention of our support system, our family, of where we live. These roles and identifying characteristics cue others of our values and of our principles. In a variety of situations, we pick and choose what we want to reveal to others of ourselves. Steve Casey s professional, community, and personal life is intentionally driven by one goal: giving to his community. Steve is the Associate Director in Grants Management for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, Illinois. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the grants management team and advises staff on grants management, structure of grants, and regulatory compliance requirements, and helps to ensure that the right systems, processes, and practices are in place to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Foundation. Steve earned his Bachelor of Administration in Finance from the University of the District of Columbia and his M.B.A. in Finance from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through these educational and other experiences, Steve s sense of social justice was solidified. He and his partner and wife Kimberly Casey, commit to making all decisions, big and small, with the community and its ongoing development in mind. The Casey s are raising their two son s (Joel & Michael) in the Englewood community of Chicago. A homeowner and property owner in his neighborhood, Steve also is affiliated with numerous communityrelated activities and currently is on the Board of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. Named a German Marshall Fund Fellow in 2004, Steve spent time in Europe studying global economic, political, and social issues. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 1 of 10

2 Steve s favorite quote, one that exemplifies his mission, is credited to the influential German thinker Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being. Steve Casey has more than 17 years experience in various capacities at the McArthur Foundation, and has recently helped his department transition to a centralized grants management team. He has demonstrated bigger picture thinking and a broader understanding of the field by making the connection between his own team s transition and those that field is going through. Steven s real time transitioning knowledge could be an asset to the board. In addition to his rich philanthropic experiences, one highlight of Steven s background is that he cofounded and led his own non-profit. As part of this he brings a lot of experience in fundraising and finance, and is comfortable playing a role of making the ask for support of PEAK Grantmaking. TIAUNA GEORGE Tiauna George currently serves as the Grants Manager for the Education team at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Working in partnership with the Vice President of Education and the Director of Grants Management, she plays a lead role in developing, implementing, and refining the grants process for the organization s diverse pool of grantees. Tiauna has many years of experience in the field of grants management, working diligently to create systems that effectively and efficiently meet the complex needs of program staff and grant partners. Prior to her current role, Tiauna served as the Grants Manager for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children s Health and before that as the Grants Manager of the Women s Foundation of California and previously as the Grants Assistant at The James Irvine Foundation. She has served on the committees of several philanthropic affinity groups, and a nonprofit board, working in areas that focus on improving the lives and wellbeing of California s most vulnerable populations. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 2 of 10

3 In 2016, Tiauna and two of her colleagues co-founded the Peninsula Philanthropy Network, which leverages the collective power and influence of philanthropy of the peninsula region of the Bay Area. She also served as the Vice Chair of the Housing and Human Concerns Committee for the City of Redwood City, which focuses on affordable housing, economic development and homelessness prevention and was a Co-Founder of the Diversity Committee at the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children s Health. Tiauna studied political science and rhetoric at UC Berkeley and has a passion for local politics, technology and the study of language. Ms. George also holds a Master of Public Administration from USF. Tiauna George has been in the field of grants management since 2006, She has worked at the Irvine Foundation, The Women's Foundation, The Lucile Packard Children's Health Foundation and now Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. This experience means she has a deep network to draw on. She also has demonstrated her leadership skills in founding the Peninsula Philanthropy Network, a network of philanthropic and nonprofit professionals working in the nonprofit sector that work together to create opportunities to learn about issues facing local and regional communities and to develop relationships with people working towards social impact. ALLISON GISTER Allison Gister leads the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation s grants management team, overseeing systems and applying best practices for effective, efficient, and knowledgeable grantmaking that aligns with Foundation requirements and complies with IRS regulations. She also partners with leadership and others to further develop an innovative knowledge management strategy to foster learning, communication, and decision making. Prior to joining the Foundation, Gister spent more than eight years at the Annenberg Foundation, most recently serving as Grants Manager, where she also provided programmatic support to members of the Board of Directors. Gister earned a bachelor s degree in History from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently pursuing a master s of science in social entrepreneurship degree at the University of Southern California s Marshall School of Business. Allison has been active with PEAK Grantmaking since 2005, including serving as Southern California regional co-chair; co-editor of the GMNSight journal, and co-chair of the 2016 Annual Conference. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 3 of 10

4 Allison Gister has been involved in PEAK Grantmaking since the late 2000s, including contributing significantly to the development of the PEAK Insight Journal and to the Southern California Regional Chapter, where she served as co-chair for two years. She is a strategic thinker who can add a lot to discussions at a high level on the board of directors. Allison is pursuing a master s degree in social entrepreneurship, which includes financial training, as well as strategy and organizational management coursework. SUKI O KANE Suki O Kane (Walter and Elise Haas is an advocate for philanthropic collaboration and has over 20 years of experience in 30,000- foot strategy and 3-foot implementation for the independent, philanthropic and public sectors. Prior to joining the Fund, Suki worked with regional associations of philanthropy, Bay Area based youth and arts education nonprofits, and local and state governments. Holding a B.A. from Reed College, she is a musician, composer and curator working with artists from a wide array of music, movement, expanded cinema and public art genres. Suki O Kane has an impressive creativity and ability to think outside the box and make connections between complex ideas (and to communicate these in a compelling and clear way). She offers a blended perspective of both the member receiving direct benefit from PEAK Grantmaking and the social change agent eager to see meaningful wins through business-not-quite-so-usual. She routinely presents sessions at the PEAK Grantmaking and other conferences. Her unique thought process and intelligence, as well as her collaborative work style, would be an asset to the board. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 4 of 10

5 GARY ROMERO Gary Romero joined Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust in 2007 and serves as the Director of Grants Management. Piper Trust is a place-based, private foundation that supports nonprofits in Maricopa County, Arizona and awards more than $20 million in grants annually. Gary leads the development and implementation of grants management strategies with an eye to continuous process improvement and organizational excellence. He fosters internal collaborations with a focus on stewardship and strengthening grantee relations. As a member of the senior leadership team, Gary is a champion of capturing quality data and how it can drive effective strategic decision-making. Gary began his career in grants management in 2002 at The John A. Hartford Foundation in New York City. As an active member of PEAK Grantmaking for more than 16 years, he participates in board subcommittees and attends the annual conferences and Rocky Mountain Regional Chapter meetings. Gary founded a local user-group for grants management software and other related topics and frequently serves as guest presenter at software vendor conferences. He strives to elevate and contribute to the field of grants management. Gary holds a bachelor s degree in business administration from the University of Montana. Gary Romero is a passionate, long-term member of PEAK Grantmaking. In addition to his significant grants management knowledge, he brings a focus on engaging members and connecting PEAK Grantmaking with more small and medium-sized organizations. His ability to see diverse perspectives on issues would make him an asset on the board of directors. Gary has the support of management at his organization, which has a history of supporting PEAK Grantmaking through grants and sponsorships. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 5 of 10

6 JANE WARD Jane Robinson Ward serves as the grants director at the Meyer Foundation, one of the Washington area s oldest and largest locallyfocused philanthropies. Working across operations and program teams, Jane manages the Foundation s $6 million annual grantmaking portfolio and grants database, ensures legal compliance, and is currently developing a new knowledge management strategy. Since coming to Meyer in 2006, she has led efforts to streamline processes for grant applicants and staff, implemented the Foundation s first-ever online application and reporting system, and played a key role in designing and developing the Foundation s Children and Family Capacity-Building Initiative, Julie L. Rogers Sabbatical Program and, most recently, new funding priorities that promote racial equity and systems change in the Greater Washington region. Before joining Meyer, Jane spent a decade at the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, with responsibilities that spanned program design, fund development, finance, administration, and government relations. She led the Council s work to deliver grants and technical assistance to seed 15 new state associations around the country, and was the Council s lead staff in organizing nonprofits nationwide to fight the Istook amendment, proposed federal legislation to silence nonprofit advocacy. Jane has also worked in foundation relations at Carleton College, was founding operations director of the national student community activist group Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL), and served as consulting program staff for the Commission on National and Community Service. Jane began her career as a center director for DC's Higher Achievement program. She has served on boards and committees for Independent Sector, National Center for Charitable Statistics, the Catalogue for Philanthropy Washington DC, the Grants Managers Network, Nonprofit Management Association, COOL, and Carleton College. Jane earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Carleton College. Jane Ward has a strong history of contributions to PEAK Grantmaking and the profession of grants management, most recently as a member of the Competency Model Workgroup and Demographic Data Advisory Committee. She has a built a strong network within the profession which gives her a broad perspective of the needs of the profession and how it is evolving within the larger field. As part of the Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 6 of 10

7 Meyer Foundation leadership, Jane is working to understand and implement equitable grants management practices which is an area of focus for PEAK Grantmaking. ARLENE WILSON-GRANT Arlene Wilson-Grant is the Grants Manager for the Disability Rights Fund and the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund. She is responsible for managing all aspects of the administration and legal compliance of the organizations grantmaking policies and procedures. Arlene brings a strong background from diverse experiences in grants management and program roles. Arlene joined the Disability Rights Fund/Disability Rights Advocacy Fund from the Skoll Foundation, where she served as the key liaison between grantees, program, and finance staff for three philanthropic entities. She joined the Skoll Foundation from the Public Health Institute, where she managed federal and state contracts with for-profit companies, communitybased organizations, and government entities. Prior to that, she spent nearly seven years as a Program Officer at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation where she helped donors identify effective funding strategies and developed and implemented regional grantmaking programs, coalition-building amongst key stakeholders, and communications efforts. She began her career at the Tides Foundation, working in the areas of youth development, economic development, and international grantmaking. Arlene participates in PEAK Grantmaking, and from , co-chaired a working group that produced a comprehensive online publication on best practices in grants management. Arlene also serves as a founding member of the Human Rights Funders Network s Grants Operations Coordinating Committee. She has presented at conferences and webinars on data and human rights funding, foundations and international development partnerships, and secure communications. Arlene received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. Arlene Wilson-Grant has been an active member of PEAK Grantmaking for several years. She has been a conference session designer and panelist, served as co-chair and principle contributor to the GM Guide from , and as a steering committee member for the Northern California Regional Chapter from Arlene has a diverse background in grants management and program roles, as well as that of Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 7 of 10

8 a human rights funder, international grantmaker (particularly as a public charity), and funding intermediary. In addition to her contributions within PEAK Grantmaking, Arlene is a founding member of the Human Rights Funders Network s International Grants Operations Working Group coordinating committee, which creates a forum for grants management and operations staff (and other interested grantmakers) to discuss and develop practices and solutions to emerging challenges in international grantmaking. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 8 of 10

9 Board of Directors Second-Term Nominees ADRIANA JIMENEZ Adriana Jiménez joined the ASPCA in As Director of Grants Management, she oversees several key aspects of the organization s $14 million+ grantmaking portfolio, including: RFP development; due diligence oversight; grant approvals; and systems implementation/management. Most recently, Adriana spent 5 years as Grants Manager at the Surdna Foundation, where she helped build out the Foundation s first Office of Grants Management, and worked across all program areas to enable strategic, collaborative grantmaking in the areas of sustainability and social justice. She has been working in the field of philanthropy/grants management since Since joining PEAK Grantmaking Adriana has held leadership roles at both the national and chapter levels, including Co-chair of the 2014 National Conference, and Chair of the Communications Committee for the New York Chapter ( ). Adriana holds a M.A. in Arts Administration from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree in Art History from Universidad Iberoamericana. She also sits on the board of Slideluck, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to building and strengthening community through food and art. Adriana has successfully met all of the responsibilities of PEAK Grantmaking board service during her first term. She chaired the Audit Committee which oversaw the 2016 audit which was delivered with an unqualified opinion. She expanded her leadership role in May 2017 when she was appointed Governance Co-Chair and effectively led that team to conduct a board self-assessment which has defined the priorities and development opportunities for the board moving forward. Her leadership of the Nominating Committee resulted in a record number of nominations for 2018 consideration. She writes and speaks on behalf of PEAK Grantmaking in support of our work to improve practices and promote the profession. She will be an asset to our work moving forward. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 9 of 10

10 ELIZABETH TABITA Elizabeth Tabita currently serves as a Grants Administration Program Administrator for The California Endowment s Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno and San Diego regions. In this role, she monitors requests through the on-line grant review process of over two hundred forty-nine million dollars per year in programs aimed at expanding access to affordable quality health care for underserved individuals and communities. As part of this work, she performs required tax and legal compliance due diligence and provides technical assistance on grants, contracts and fiscal health. Elizabeth is also an active member of four philanthropic affinity groups, including Hispanics in Philanthropy, Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Southern California Grantmakers and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. In addition, she is the Vice Chair of the Southern California PEAK Grantmaking chapter and a member of the University of La Verne Alumni Association, College of Business & Public Management. She is a former Health Leadership Coro and Southern California Leadership Network Alumnae. She currently serves as an advisory board member of the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic. Elizabeth holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor of Science in Business/Management. Elizabeth has successfully met all of the responsibilities of PEAK Grantmaking board service during her first term. She has contributed her expertise to both the Strategy and Governance Committees. She assumed a leadership role in May 2016 when she was elected Board Secretary. She has demonstrated both ability and willingness to support PEAK Grantmaking s revenue development by opening doors for staff with potential funders and advising on our development strategies as part of the Revenue Development Team. She will be an asset to our work moving forward. Annual Meeting of Membership April 4, 2018 Page 10 of 10