Aysha Pamukcu
Senior Initiative Officer and Director, Policy Fund
Why do you do what you do?
I’m the proud daughter of immigrants: my mom is from the Philippines and my dad is from Turkey. Growing up in the Bay Area with my family, I saw firsthand how where we live and who we are affects our access to opportunity. And because I call this amazing region home, it’s a personal as well as professional priority to work toward a Bay Area where everyone can thrive.
What drew you to the foundation?
To work at the intersection of policy and philanthropy with a team of equity champions.
How would you describe your role?
I lead the Policy Fund of the Partnership for the Bay’s Future, where we’re addressing the interconnected challenges of housing, transportation, and economic opportunity in the Bay Area. Every day in the Bay Area, rising income inequality means that people have to choose between housing and other basic necessities. But it doesn’t have to be this way — we can build a Bay Area of shared prosperity with the right mix of investment, collaboration, and policy change. I work with our partners across the region to make this vision a reality.
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
I currently serve on the board of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and recently served on the founding boards of the Hive Fund and the Collective Future Fund. I also volunteer as a movement attorney, whether it’s showing up at SFO to help those affected by the Muslim travel ban or providing pro bono representation for people seeking asylum in the US.