SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Foundation has announced that Justina Lai and Justin Steele have been appointed to our Board of Trustees for five-year terms. Ms. Lai is the Chief Impact Officer and Shareholder at Wetherby Asset Management and Mr. Steele is Director, Americas at Google.org.
“Justina and Justin bring invaluable expertise to the foundation based on their experience in impact investing and philanthropy, but most importantly, their deep commitment to an inclusive Bay Area,” said Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation.
Ms. Lai has dedicated her career to harnessing capital for social and environmental good. At Wetherby Asset Management, she leads the impact investing strategy and integration of impact across multiple functions. She has grown the firm’s impact assets to close to $1 billion, expanded impact investment strategies to clients, and leads the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative. Prior to Wetherby, she held a grantmaking and impact investing role at the Rockefeller Foundation, led impact investing strategies at Sonen Capital, and worked in traditional private equity investing.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to the foundation’s leadership in advancing equity in our local communities,” said Ms. Lai. “The current crisis only serves to reinforce the critical role SFF plays in building longer-term community resilience through racial and economic inclusion.”
Mr. Steele has long been committed to the intersection of racial justice and technology. At Google.org, he heads philanthropic grantmaking in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He also helps lead the organization’s work in inclusion, education, and economic opportunity. Prior to joining Google.org, he served in several executive roles at the job training nonprofit Year Up, and worked as a management consultant at Bain & Co. and The Bridgespan Group.
“The San Francisco Foundation’s commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion has been a consistent beacon for those of us in philanthropy to follow,” said Mr. Steele. “I have deep admiration for the staff and grantees of the foundation, and I am thrilled to more directly contribute to their work building strong communities in the Bay Area.”
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The San Francisco Foundation is committed to a Bay Area where everyone can get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and exercise their political voice. The foundation advances its work through grantmaking, partnerships with donors, policy advocacy, and impact investing.
