A Journey of Equity, Community, and Collective Impact: Meet SVPI’s new VP of Strategy and Engagement
Growing up, I often found myself as the only openly gay person in the room. Whether in college classrooms or during the early days of my career, those experiences shaped me. It wasn’t just about being different—it was about navigating spaces where equity wasn’t always a priority. That’s why my commitment to equity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color, is deeply personal. It’s a value I’ve carried with me throughout my professional journey and one that continues to guide the work I do today.
I never imagined my path would lead me to philanthropy. Initially, I thought my career would be in law and politics, but I chose to begin in education instead. I wanted to create opportunities for young people like myself — first-generation college graduates navigating uncharted territory. For over two decades, I poured my heart into education, working to uplift young people and give them the tools they need to succeed.
Then, like so many others, the pandemic prompted me to take a step back and reflect on my journey. I realized how much I missed my community, my roots, and my home. That realization brought me back to Massachusetts. I wanted an opportunity to reconnect with where I came from and to find new ways to serve the community that shaped me.
At that stage in my career, I felt it was the perfect time to measure my impact by helping elevate the work of young leaders. That’s what led me to SVP Boston and ultimately to SVP International. It felt like the right moment to move into philanthropy—not the traditional, wealth-driven philanthropy we so often hear about, but a vision of philanthropy that’s accessible to all.
As part of my work with SVP, I want to redefine what it means to be a philanthropist. Too often, philanthropy is associated with high-net-worth individuals or seen as something to take up in retirement. But in reality, anyone can be a philanthropist. Whether you’re donating your time, talent, or financial resources, you’re contributing to change. My mission is to foster a community of diverse, grassroots philanthropists and help them realize the power of their contributions.
Over the past three years, I have been deeply involved in evolving SVP Boston’s partner models to amplify the impact of young social entrepreneurs. These are leaders with lived experiences who are offering innovative solutions to the challenges they face. For instance, we work with programs with Breaktime to help expand their operations across Massachusetts by developing comprehensive standard operating procedures and a financial model for new locations. Additionally, our partnership with Bikes Not Bombs involved creating a new inventory management system and providing strategic guidance to enhance their overall impact. Now, I’m excited to bring that same passion and insight to SVPI, applying what I’ve learned about the power of networks and the energy that local affiliates bring to the table, but on a global scale.
The opportunity to be in a leading role for this organization is an honor, and I look forward to shaping the future of philanthropy with all of you. I am confident that together, we will continue to rise and achieve even greater heights. Onward and upward, together!
