Contact: Ling Woo Liu, lliu[at]sff.org
July 1, 2021
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Foundation announces today that Ophelia B. Basgal and Robert (Bob) Friedman have been appointed chair and vice chair, respectively, of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. Their appointments are effective for two years.
“Ophelia and Bob have a deep commitment to building a Bay Area where everyone can thrive,” says Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation. “We’ve greatly benefited from Ophelia’s community advocacy, and Bob’s longstanding partnership with the foundation, in addition to his expertise in economic equity. We are incredibly fortunate to continue working with them in these leadership roles.”
Ms. Basgal has served on the foundation’s board since 2013 and as its vice chair since 2019. In addition, she is a consultant to the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation and a senior executive coach with InclusionINC, which specializes in inclusion and diversity solutions. Previously, she was the Regional Administrator of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Region IX (Pacific/Hawaii), and the vice president of community relations at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
“I’m honored to assume the Board chair role during this historic time in philanthropy where the focus on creating equitable communities has risen to the top,” said Ms. Basgal. “The San Francisco Foundation continues to demonstrate its leadership and innovation in this mission, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, Fred Blackwell, and the foundation team in advancing this important effort.”
Mr. Friedman has served on the foundation’s board since 2015. He is founder and Chair Emeritus of Prosperity Now, which helps develop the community practices, public policies and private market interventions so that everyone has a reasonable chance to go to college, start a business, buy a home, save and invest, and create an economic future for themselves, their families, their community, and indeed, the country as a whole.
“I believe that the Bay Area can and should lead the quest for racial equity and economic inclusion in significant and measurable ways, and that the San Francisco Foundation and our partners can be an essential catalyst in that quest,” says Mr. Friedman. “I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”
Having completed her term as Board chair, Sheryl Wong will continue to serve on the foundation’s Board of Trustees.
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About the San Francisco Foundation
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.
