Contact: Ling Woo Liu, lliu[at]sff.org
February 2, 2021
COO Dee Dee Brantley retires after 19 years;
Chief of Philanthropy Ruben Orduña retires after eight years
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Foundation announces retirements of two senior staff members this year. Dee Dee Brantley, the foundation’s Chief Operating Officer for the past 11 years, will retire in March 2021. Ruben Orduña, Chief of Philanthropy, will retire in May 2021 after eight years at the foundation.
“Dee Dee and Ruben have been pivotal leaders in our work to advance racial equity and economic inclusion,” said foundation CEO Fred Blackwell. “They have helped create an organizational structure and cultivated donor interest so that we, as a community foundation, are best positioned to contribute to a Bay Area where everyone thrives.”
Ms. Brantley has been a part of the San Francisco Foundation for the last 19 years. In addition to serving as COO, she is also Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Her leadership has been critical to evolving operations and management processes and to supporting effective board governance. In 2014, she served as interim CEO as the foundation searched to select its top leadership position that was eventually filled by Mr. Blackwell.
“I have always felt it was a privilege to work at SFF and with such dedicated and impactful colleagues,” said Ms. Brantley. “My commitment to racial and economic equity is an important part of my life, and I look forward to advancing this work in new ways in my retirement.”
Mr. Orduña has led the foundation’s fundraising and donor stewardship for the past eight years. Under his leadership, the foundation expanded its fundraising and increased donor giving to organizations addressing racial equity and economic inclusion. He previously led fundraising at The Boston Foundation and has spent much of his career working in community foundations.
“What I love about philanthropy is that it’s bigger than any individual,” said Mr. Orduña. “It’s a sense of responsibility — of leaving our place in better shape than we found it — and I’m proud to have dedicated my career to this work.”
The foundation has promoted Galen Maness, Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration, to fill the Chief Operating Officer role beginning in March. Prior to joining the foundation in 2015, Mr. Maness worked in the private sector for many years, most recently serving as the Director of Human Resources for Starbucks’ operations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The foundation plans to conduct a national search for a new Chief of Philanthropy. Interested candidates are encouraged to check sff.org this spring for updated information regarding this role.
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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. Learn more at sff.org.
