Lea Oliver-Gelwicks

Why do you do what you do?

Having witnessed the inequity in the world–both in the 30 countries I have been lucky to explore, as well as at home in the Bay Area–I am inspired to do what I can to change that. For that reason, after getting my MBA, I dedicated my career to financial planning and management of large nonprofits, such as Room to Read and KIPP. This field combines my attraction to working with data and connecting with people.

What drew you to the foundation?

SFF’s mission–of building a future where all people in the Bay Area are economically secure and able to thrive in their vibrant communities–is deeply aligned with my personal values. I am inspired by the foundation’s transformative work in our community and beyond.

How would you describe your role?

I lead our Financial Planning and Analysis Team. We, in conjunction with the Investment and Accounting teams, guide the financial management of the foundation. Our FP&A team manages the budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial training at SFF. We also lead our long-term and near-term financial analyses to drive strategic decision making. As a team, we build cross-departmental partnerships and empower leaders with information so that together we can increase opportunities for individuals today and in the future.