ABOUT
I’ve built my career around a simple question: how can business, policy, philanthropy, and capital work together to make communities stronger?
For more than 15 years, answering that question has taken me from the classroom and nonprofit leadership to entrepreneurship, public policy, and global corporate responsibility. Today, I lead work spanning environmental strategy, philanthropy and community investment, financial inclusion, and responsible business practices.
My work has included stewarding $100 million in social impact capital, advancing climate and Net Zero commitments, supporting community-led environmental investments, developing responsible finance strategies, and advising executive leadership and boards.
Across each chapter of my career, I’ve learned that lasting change begins with listening. I lead with curiosity, kindness, accountability, and respect for the expertise communities and partners bring to the table.
EXPERIENCE
SELECTED IMPACT
$100M SOCIAL IMPACT FUND
Using capital as a tool for community investment
Helped launch and steward a $100 million social impact fund focused on expanding economic opportunity in underserved communities, including investments in community banks, Minority Depository Institutions, and Community Development Financial Institutions.
My work has spanned investment strategy, governance, community partnerships, financial inclusion, and connecting capital with institutions that understand the communities they serve.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Connecting climate strategy with community-led solutions
My environmental work spans climate strategy, Net Zero commitments, carbon abatement investments, water stewardship, and sustainability reporting.
That includes a long-term partnership with WithOneSeed in Timor-Leste, where community-led reforestation supports carbon abatement while strengthening livelihoods and infrastructure. The partnership reflects an approach I value deeply: environmental investment designed with communities, not simply for them.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Responding when communities need resources most
Following the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, I helped lead a $3 million commitment supporting affected communities, small businesses, and local recovery.
My disaster and crisis-response work has reinforced the importance of combining philanthropy, corporate resources, local expertise, and long-term resilience rather than treating recovery as a single moment of giving.
FORGED IN FLINT
Using storytelling to center entrepreneurs and communities
I was part of the small creative team behind Forged in Flint, a Square seller film documenting entrepreneurs building businesses in Flint, Michigan.
The project is part of a broader body of work using storytelling, partnerships, and advocacy to elevate the experiences of small-business owners and the communities they help sustain.
Block, Inc.
GLOBAL EXTERNAL AFFAIRS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
I lead work across environmental strategy, philanthropy, community investment, financial inclusion, responsible business practices, public policy, and stakeholder engagement.
My work includes stewardship of $100 million in social impact capital and corporate philanthropic initiatives; climate and Net Zero strategy; community-led environmental investments; responsible finance and financial inclusion; disaster and crisis response; and partnerships with nonprofit, public-sector, financial, and community organizations.
I advise executive leadership and boards on environmental, regulatory, investment, and stakeholder issues and lead colleagues and partnerships across multiple geographies.
Throughout this work, my focus remains consistent: translate complex challenges into practical strategies, build trusted partnerships, measure what matters, and create the conditions for people and communities to succeed.
Small business advocacy, economic development, financial inclusion, sustainable communities, public affairs, and storytelling
Selected Press: Bloomberg, Inc., The Cheddar, USA Today, Satellite Media Tours, Radio Media Tours, Washington Post, San Francisco Business Times, The Hustle 2X
Accolades: Powerful Women of the Bay Area (2021), San Francisco Business Times Most Influential Women in Business (2018)
ICHI
Co-owner / Partner | 2005–Present
Current: Flint, MI - ICHI Lucky Cat Knife Sharpening and Kitchen Tools
As a co-owner of an award-winning hospitality business, I have experienced entrepreneurship from the other side of the policy table.
I have worked across financial operations, workforce development, partnerships, communications, and business strategy while navigating the everyday realities facing independent businesses.
That experience continues to shape my approach to public policy, economic opportunity, and community investment: programs and policies work best when they reflect the lived experience of the people expected to use them.
Thank you for the memories, San Francisco.
ICHI Sushi
ICHI Sushi + NI Bar
ICHI Kakiya
Selected Press: Michelin-recommended, Zagat-rated, PBS, NPR, New York Times, Buzzfeed, VICE, AAA, USA Today, Eater, Modern Luxury Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle
Publishing: Finesse Magazine (a print publication of The French Laundry); Flint, Michigan — A Story of Resilience
Accolades: City of San Francisco’s Small Business Week Award (2014)
826
Director of Growth and Strategy, Interim Executive — 826 National
2010-2012
Director of Growth & Strategy / Interim Executive | 2009–2012
Led strategy and growth for a national network of nonprofit writing, publishing, and tutoring centers serving young people. Crafted a growth playbook, national volunteer standards, and engaged on US public educational policy initiatives with the US Department of Education and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
I developed national growth and volunteer standards, supported affiliate expansion, fundraising and partnerships, and worked with nonprofit leaders, educators, volunteers, government partners, and communities to strengthen programs and organizational sustainability.
The experience established a foundation for much of my later work: scaling mission-driven programs while preserving the knowledge, character, and leadership of individual communities.
Selected Press: NBC, CNN, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Jose Mercury News, KQED, ABC7 Bay Area
Publishing: Don’t Forget to Write: 54 Enthralling and Effective Writing Lessons for Students 6-18
Board Service
FACTORY TWO
Board Member
Support the governance and continued development of a community makerspace providing access to tools, training, skills, and creative opportunities.
My board service reflects a longstanding commitment to entrepreneurship, community development, and organizations that give people the resources to build ideas of their own.
ADDITIONAL BOARD & ADVISORY SERVICE
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Corporate Advisory Council
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Corporate Advisory Council
Foodwise — Former Board Member
Golden Gate Restaurant Association — Former Board Service
Nation’s Finest — Former Board Service