SAMPLE PROFILES OF PEOPLE WE’VE PLACED

One of the many reasons we love what we do is that we spend much of our time talking and meeting with amazing and accomplished people, working in "best in class" foundations and companies, who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in the world. The satisfaction on our part comes from making the right match – linking talented leaders with great organizations. In this Profile section, we introduce you to three of the people we have been privileged to place. 


Peter Long, Ph.D.

Ellisa KittnerPeter Long, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. He served in leadership roles at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and The California Endowment. Dr. Long also served as the director of development and programs and then executive director of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose. Previously, he served as a legislative analyst for the National Progressive Primary Health Care Network in Cape Town, South Africa, during the country's transition to democracy. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University; a master's in health policy from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health; and his doctorate in health services from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2011, Dr. Long was inducted into the UCLA School of Public Health Alumni Hall of Fame.

“Blue Shield of California Foundation is an exceptional organization with a clear mission and demonstrated commitment to improve access to health care and end domestic violence in California. One could not ask for a better position, organization and time in history to improve the health and well-being of low-income Californians. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”


Rick Williams

Martha Montag BrownRick Williams is the CEO of the Sobrato Family Foundation (SFF). Prior to joining SFF, Rick founded and was President of Realize Consulting Group, a management consultant practice focused on creating effective and sustainable solutions for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and the communities they serve. He also served at the Director of the Asset Funders Network, USA, a national community of foundations and grantmakers advancing programs and policies that promote economic opportunity by helping low-income individuals build and protect financial assets. Additional prior positions include serving as the National Programs Director at the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, COO and CFO for EMQ Children and Family Services, Deputy Director of the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department and Director of the Santa Clara County's psychiatric inpatient services. Rick was also a founding steering committee member of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Rick holds a BS in clinical psychology from Washington State University and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University.

“The Sobrato Family Foundation's passion and commitment to Silicon Valley make this organization a compelling leader in local philanthropy. Creating a thriving community is about using one's resources to promote opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is also about creating a culture where we care for those not currently benefiting from the success of the valley. It is an honor to work with a family and lead an organization that is setting an example for how a community is better when everyone succeeds.”


Sylvia Yee, Ph.D.

Ellisa KittnerSylvia Yee, Ph.D., Vice President of Programs at the Haas, Jr. Fund, oversees the Fund's grantmaking and development of program strategy. Her work at the Fund is driven by a long-standing commitment to social justice and to serving children, families, and communities, and it is deeply linked to her many community and nonprofit leadership roles. Before joining the Fund, Sylvia was a program executive in education and health at the San Francisco Foundation. Having begun her career as a high school teacher, she taught and administered programs for more than a decade at the elementary, secondary, and university levels, both in the U.S. and in the People's Republic of China. She also directed a community-based nonprofit agency providing educational services to immigrant and low-income youth in San Francisco's Mission District. Sylvia earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy from Stanford University, her Masters in Teaching at Reed College and a B.A. in History at Stanford University. Sylvia has received numerous awards for her civil rights work and community leadership.

“I've been at the Haas, Jr. Fund for nearly two decades and every single day I've had the joy of working with extraordinary people on issues that connect deeply to my soul.  Over the years, the Fund has grown and  developed in rich ways and I've had the opportunity to personally do the same.  In my role overseeing the grantmaking programs, I've received strong encouragement and support to dare to dream, explore frontiers and tackle tough social issues.”

 

Placing leaders
with a purpose.