As the Sr. Director for Policy and Partnerships, I am responsible for managing federal Executive Branch relationships for the Council's Department of Public Policy and Legal Affairs. The Executive Branch partnership portfolio complements the Council’s long standing work as the policy voice for philanthropy to the Legislative Branch. My work with White House agencies and federal departments ensures that philanthropy has a voice within the Executive Branch as well. In this work, I identify opportunities to connect foundations and federal government agencies for mutual benefit and investment leveraging. I also engage other national organizations in Washington that can help advance the mission of the Council and its members. In my role, I also contribute time and expertise to legislative advocacy activities of the Council’s Government Relations team.

Stephanie Powers was the Project Director for the Council on Foundations’ National Fund for Workforce Solutions. The National Fund is a public-philanthropic partnership testing new ways to address the critical problem of the skills gap between workers and the talent needs of many employers. Nearly 200 funders and 500 employers are part of the $100 million collaboration. As the Council’s National Fund project director, Ms. Powers develops opportunities for foundation leaders to become involved in its national investor committee and the 23 regional collaboratives supporting over 100 workforce partnerships. She assists the Council in using its network and leadership to engage the philanthropic community with public policymakers working to develop a skilled workforce. She oversees the Fund’s national outreach and information dissemination to the Council’s members across the country; collaborates with the Fund’s Implementation Partner (Jobs for the Future); and represents the Council’s interests in public policy actions in the Fund’s policy agenda.