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Building Bridges and Catalyzing Change: Ciara Garcia Named SVPI’s New CEO
Ciara Garcia is a force for equity who centers the wisdom of those closest to injustice in her life’s work. As the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of SVP International […]
Leadership & Staff
Ciara Garcia, CEO
Ciara Garcia is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 19 years of experience championing community-driven philanthropy to foster multigenerational change. As the CEO of SVPI, she brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit management, strategic growth, and innovative program development.
Before joining SVPI, Ciara served as CEO of the SVP Tucson affiliate, where she achieved remarkable success in expanding the organization’s budget and partnership fourfold. This growth facilitated the expansion of staff, nonprofit partners, and programmatic impact. She also spent 11 years at Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, where she progressed from Development Director to Chief Operating Officer. Her collaborative approach was further honed through hands-on work and a fellowship at the Aspen Institute.
Ciara GarciaCEO
Ciara Garcia is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 19 years of experience championing community-driven philanthropy to foster multigenerational change. As the CEO of SVPI, she brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit management, strategic growth, and innovative program development.
Before joining SVPI, Ciara served as CEO of the SVP Tucson affiliate, where she achieved remarkable success in expanding the organization’s budget and partnership fourfold. This growth facilitated the expansion of staff, nonprofit partners, and programmatic impact. She also spent 11 years at Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, where she progressed from Development Director to Chief Operating Officer. Her collaborative approach was further honed through hands-on work and a fellowship at the Aspen Institute.
Jason Aluko-Williams, Vice President of Strategy and Engagement
Jason Aluko-Williams is a devoted advocate for equity and social justice, with a career spanning over two decades in education and philanthropy. Throughout his career, Jason has focused on elevating opportunities for underserved communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color.
At SVPI, Jason is dedicated to aligning the organization’s mission with its commitment to equity, exploring universal approaches to addressing social issues while honoring individual communities. His role involves fostering relationships with affiliates, amplifying voices within the network, and leading conversations around what it means to be a philanthropist.
With a passion for building inclusive communities, Jason is excited to leverage his experience to enhance SVPI’s impact on a global scale, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Jason Aluko-WilliamsVice President of Strategy and Engagement
Jason Aluko-Williams is a devoted advocate for equity and social justice, with a career spanning over two decades in education and philanthropy. Throughout his career, Jason has focused on elevating opportunities for underserved communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color.
At SVPI, Jason is dedicated to aligning the organization’s mission with its commitment to equity, exploring universal approaches to addressing social issues while honoring individual communities. His role involves fostering relationships with affiliates, amplifying voices within the network, and leading conversations around what it means to be a philanthropist.
With a passion for building inclusive communities, Jason is excited to leverage his experience to enhance SVPI’s impact on a global scale, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Blanca Payne, Director of Operations & Administration
Blanca Payne brings a diverse background in accounting, education, and administration to her role at SVPI. She combines her expertise in operational efficiency and collaborative systems to support global partnerships and drive impactful initiatives.
Before joining SVPI, Blanca spent over a decade teaching K-8 students before transitioning to administrative roles in primary and secondary education and later at the University of Arizona. Passionate about equitable education, she has been a vocal advocate for students with disabilities and chronic health conditions, working within child advocacy teams and supporting families navigating educational systems. Her commitment to fostering inclusion and equity extends to championing LGBTQ+ rights and supporting Gold Star families through organizations like TAPS.
Blanca PayneDirector of Operations & Administration
Blanca Payne brings a diverse background in accounting, education, and administration to her role at SVPI. She combines her expertise in operational efficiency and collaborative systems to support global partnerships and drive impactful initiatives.
Before joining SVPI, Blanca spent over a decade teaching K-8 students before transitioning to administrative roles in primary and secondary education and later at the University of Arizona. Passionate about equitable education, she has been a vocal advocate for students with disabilities and chronic health conditions, working within child advocacy teams and supporting families navigating educational systems. Her commitment to fostering inclusion and equity extends to championing LGBTQ+ rights and supporting Gold Star families through organizations like TAPS.
Sol Design, Communications and Community Engagement
Sol Design (Sol) is a brand and digital agency that marries strategy, design and interactive to create powerful brands and innovative digital experiences. With a strategic focus on philanthropy, non profits and social good, Sol works with SVPI building its online community and delivering powerful communications through storytelling.
Sol DesignCommunications and Community Engagement
Sol Design (Sol) is a brand and digital agency that marries strategy, design and interactive to create powerful brands and innovative digital experiences. With a strategic focus on philanthropy, non profits and social good, Sol works with SVPI building its online community and delivering powerful communications through storytelling.
Board of Directors
Aaron Rottenstein, SVP Tucson
Aaron Rottenstein is the immediate past Chair of SVP Tucson, where he helped grow the partnership from 60 to 130 members and led initiatives like the nonprofit collaboration and 2-Gen approach. A financial advisor at UBS, he specializes in working with endowments, foundations, and families on investment strategies, earning recognition on Forbes’ Best in State and Best Next-Gen Wealth Advisors lists. With a background in public service and a deep commitment to philanthropy, Aaron believes in the power of SVP to bridge divides and drive meaningful community impact.
Aaron Rottenstein, SVP Tucson
Aaron Rottenstein is the immediate past Chair of SVP Tucson, where he helped grow the partnership from 60 to 130 members and led initiatives like the nonprofit collaboration and 2-Gen approach. A financial advisor at UBS, he specializes in working with endowments, foundations, and families on investment strategies, earning recognition on Forbes’ Best in State and Best Next-Gen Wealth Advisors lists. With a background in public service and a deep commitment to philanthropy, Aaron believes in the power of SVP to bridge divides and drive meaningful community impact.
Adriana Loson-Ceballos
Adriana Loson-Ceballos’ career as a fundraiser began during the U.S. Great Recession over a decade ago and has grown through her participation and study of the social movements that have emerged over the same period. She has developed transnational fundraising and growth positioning strategies and plans for nonprofits seeking to diversify, grow, or adapt their revenue streams to the opportunities before them.
Adriana Loson-Ceballos
Adriana Loson-Ceballos’ career as a fundraiser began during the U.S. Great Recession over a decade ago and has grown through her participation and study of the social movements that have emerged over the same period. She has developed transnational fundraising and growth positioning strategies and plans for nonprofits seeking to diversify, grow, or adapt their revenue streams to the opportunities before them.
Debbie Nutley, SVP Chicago
Debbie Nutley is a Board member and Governance Chair of SVP Chicago, where she has led initiatives to strengthen the organization’s operating model, impact measurement, and knowledge management. A former Chief Human Resources Officer in the global insurance industry, she brings expertise in organizational transformation, governance, and strategic leadership. Now an angel investor, business advisor, and philanthropist, Debbie is committed to fostering collaboration and innovation within SVP to drive lasting community change.
Debbie Nutley, SVP Chicago
Debbie Nutley is a Board member and Governance Chair of SVP Chicago, where she has led initiatives to strengthen the organization’s operating model, impact measurement, and knowledge management. A former Chief Human Resources Officer in the global insurance industry, she brings expertise in organizational transformation, governance, and strategic leadership. Now an angel investor, business advisor, and philanthropist, Debbie is committed to fostering collaboration and innovation within SVP to drive lasting community change.
Govind Iyer, SVP India
Govind Iyer is the Chair of SVP India, leading a network of 720 partners across eight cities. With a background in marketing at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Heinz, he later spent 24 years at Egon Zehnder, advising global boards and CEOs. Now a board member at Infosys and key philanthropic organizations, Govind is committed to strengthening SVP’s global impact, fostering collaboration, and positioning it as the leading network for engaged philanthropy.
Govind Iyer, SVP India
Govind Iyer is the Chair of SVP India, leading a network of 720 partners across eight cities. With a background in marketing at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Heinz, he later spent 24 years at Egon Zehnder, advising global boards and CEOs. Now a board member at Infosys and key philanthropic organizations, Govind is committed to strengthening SVP’s global impact, fostering collaboration, and positioning it as the leading network for engaged philanthropy.
Guff Van Vooren
Guff has been an SVP Minnesota partner since 2010. She is grateful and honored to serve SVP and the Twin Cities community as a member of the board of directors and programs committee, SVP network liaison (projects, forums, session presenter), equity team lead, and as a team member of various Investee capacity building projects.
Guff Van Vooren
Guff has been an SVP Minnesota partner since 2010. She is grateful and honored to serve SVP and the Twin Cities community as a member of the board of directors and programs committee, SVP network liaison (projects, forums, session presenter), equity team lead, and as a team member of various Investee capacity building projects.
Jorge Mendes, SVP Boulder County
Jorge Mendes is the Board Chair of SVP Boulder County and Executive Director of Second Day, where he helps young adults from marginalized backgrounds build careers in the social sector. With experience supporting over 600 entrepreneurs across 70 countries, he is passionate about fostering collaboration and re-envisioning philanthropy. Jorge envisions SVPI as a global hub of support and shared learning, strengthening partnerships and amplifying collective impact across borders.
Jorge Mendes, SVP Boulder County
Jorge Mendes is the Board Chair of SVP Boulder County and Executive Director of Second Day, where he helps young adults from marginalized backgrounds build careers in the social sector. With experience supporting over 600 entrepreneurs across 70 countries, he is passionate about fostering collaboration and re-envisioning philanthropy. Jorge envisions SVPI as a global hub of support and shared learning, strengthening partnerships and amplifying collective impact across borders.
Kenji Hosokawa
Kenji has been a partner of SVP Tokyo since 2015, working closely with three investees in particular: Pirika Inc., which provides technology-based services to combat litter; SEELS, which helps Filippino migrants in greater Tokyo by retraining them as English instructors; and NGO PLAS, which provides assistance to AIDS orphans in Africa.
Kenji Hosokawa
Kenji has been a partner of SVP Tokyo since 2015, working closely with three investees in particular: Pirika Inc., which provides technology-based services to combat litter; SEELS, which helps Filippino migrants in greater Tokyo by retraining them as English instructors; and NGO PLAS, which provides assistance to AIDS orphans in Africa.
Paul Shoemaker, Board Chair
Paul Shoemaker is the Founding President of SVPI and was SVP Seattle’s Executive Director for 17 years. With insights from this unique vantage point, he is a leading expert on activating social change agents and a global thought leader on how individuals can be the most effective philanthropists.
Paul ShoemakerBoard Chair
Paul Shoemaker is the Founding President of SVPI and was SVP Seattle’s Executive Director for 17 years. With insights from this unique vantage point, he is a leading expert on activating social change agents and a global thought leader on how individuals can be the most effective philanthropists.
Robert Tate, SVP Portland
Robert Tate is the Board President of SVP Portland and a leader in philanthropic innovation. With a 30-year career at Procter & Gamble, he specialized in global innovation systems, collaboration networks, and market expansion. Now deeply engaged in nonprofit leadership, he serves as Director/Treasurer for Latino Network and leads a $25 million capital campaign for Oregon’s first Latine Community Center and preschool. Robert envisions SVPI as a transformative network that redefines philanthropy, leveraging shared principles and collaboration to drive faster, broader, and more impactful change.
Robert Tate, SVP Portland
Robert Tate is the Board President of SVP Portland and a leader in philanthropic innovation. With a 30-year career at Procter & Gamble, he specialized in global innovation systems, collaboration networks, and market expansion. Now deeply engaged in nonprofit leadership, he serves as Director/Treasurer for Latino Network and leads a $25 million capital campaign for Oregon’s first Latine Community Center and preschool. Robert envisions SVPI as a transformative network that redefines philanthropy, leveraging shared principles and collaboration to drive faster, broader, and more impactful change.
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