David ibnAle

Why do you do what you do? 

I’ve been an investor for more than 20 years and I’ve always been attracted to ideas and companies that can have a systemic and lasting impact on markets, industries or consumers. One of the things I enjoy most about being an investor is that every new issue or challenge faced by each portfolio company or management team is a little bit different, which means that every day is very different and my role is constantly changing.

What drew you to serving on the board? 

In the wake of the 2016 election and everything it said about where America really is, I decided to focus more of my “extra-curricular” time and energy on social justice work. I was drawn to the San Francisco Foundation’s equity agenda, which resonated with me as a tremendously thoughtful framework for attacking a broad range of issues with some common roots, and I was equally impressed by the quality of the foundation’s leadership and staff.

How would you describe your role as a board member?

The most important aspect of the role is leveraging my skill set as an investor to help the foundation generate more dollars to fund our work. My predecessors on the foundation’s Investment Committee have consistently generated best-in-class returns and the foundation has developed a reputation as a leader in this arena. I am excited by our effort to back a diverse roster of managers who embody the ethos of the foundation and have investment philosophies that are consistent with the foundation’s mission.