I am the son of Asian immigrant small business owners and have spent 20+ years working towards increased economic opportunity for communities of color, and in particular, immigrant communities. My core values have driven me to work at the intersection of racial and economic justice, ecological and climate resilience, and sustainable food and agriculture. My most recent role at Kitchen Table Advisors focused on 1) institutional level change and shifting philanthropic and investment capital in ways that fuel the economic viability and self-determination of a multi-racial next generation of sustainable small farms and ranches, and that create more equitable capital access and more farmer governance and control, 2) partnering with individuals, family foundations and family offices to align their people, financial, and social capital with their values. My experience centers on channeling resources to communities of color, immigrant small business owners, rural communities, and sustainable farmers/ranchers of color. This has included: * Learning the benefits and drawbacks of CDFI (community development financial institution) lending to small businesses through 15+ years in leadership roles at Opportunity Fund and California FarmLink; * Serving on the boards of groups like Common Future and RSF Social Finance that serve as bridges or financial intermediaries between wealth holders and social enterprises and/or community wealth builders;* Playing an advisory role for investing and/or grantmaking at the intersection of racial justice and sustainable food/ag with Ceres Trust, 11th Hour Project and Organically Grown Company;* Collaborating on experiments with BIPOC governed resources through the collaborative CA BIPOC Farmer/Land Steward Relief Fund and EFOD (Equitable Food Oriented Development) Collaborative.
Listed skills include Program Management, Organizational Development, Fundraising, Business Development, and 15 others.