Welcome Jamie Allison-Hope, New W&EHF Executive Director

26 Comments

The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that effective February 1, Jamie Allison-Hope will succeed Pam David as Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.

Ms. Allison-Hope is currently Vice President Programs at the S. H. Cowell Foundation. Pam David, the Fund’s ED for 15 years, stepped down as planned at the close of 2017 — she is now pursuing the next phase of her career.

In the 65-year history of the Fund, it has had only had two Executive Directors, making Ms. Allison-Hope its third. Board President, Peter E. Haas, Jr. extends his congratulations and welcome to Jamie Allison-Hope:

We’re so pleased to have someone of Jamie’s caliber joining with us to lead the Fund in its future work. Jamie is devoted to developing the kind of leadership that brings a more healthy, just, and vibrant society closer to hand for everyone. Through her work with S. H. Cowell Foundation, she understands how crucial it is to ensure access and create opportunity for all in the Bay Area and beyond. On behalf of my fellow trustees and staff, I’m thrilled to extend to Jamie the warmest of possible welcomes. We are very much looking forward to working with her.

Jamie Allison-Hope has helped lead the S. H. Cowell Foundation since 2006, beginning as the Program Officer in charge of Youth Development grantmaking. She became a Senior Program Officer in 2012, her portfolio growing to encompass Affordable Housing and management of program-related investments (PRIs). Then, she took over the role of Vice President Programs for S. H. Cowell Foundation in 2016.

Ms. Allison-Hope grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Tennessee. She earned her Masters from the University of California at Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Her breadth of civic involvement includes serving on the board of The Whitman Institute, a philanthropy focused on promoting equity, among other priorities.

Ms. Allison-Hope says:

Being asked to build on the legacy of the Fund’s work is an extraordinary opportunity. It’s also a privilege, and one I’m honored and thrilled to have been asked to take on. The Fund’s mission of building a healthy, just, and vibrant society is one to which I have long been personally committed — and it’s one that’s vitally important for all of us to invest in right now. I look forward to helping to lead the Fund into its next phase of work and to adding my creativity and innovation to what Pam David, the family, staff, and so many others have built.

Over its long existence, the Walter & Elise Haas Fund has remained focused on the areas of support Walter A. Haas, Sr. and Elise Stern Haas identified in 1952. Their sense of responsibility for society, their active involvement and leadership, and their respect for community found a strong champion in Pam David.

Among other achievements, Pam extended the Fund’s giving to include a portfolio to address economic security for the working poor and built upon the Fund’s commitment to collaborative partnerships and community initiatives that continue to improve lives in the Bay Area and beyond. Pam predicts Ms. Allison-Hope will find great success at the Fund:

Jamie Allison-Hope is an inspired selection by our board of trustees. She is an experienced and thoughtful leader who shares the family’s and my values and perspective on the role of philanthropy in our communities. I am confident that she will not just continue the Fund’s legacy of being a reliable partner, facilitator, and funder, but will take the Fund to new heights of relevance and effectiveness. It has been an honor to lead the Fund for the past 15 years, and I am so happy to have Jamie step in at this difficult time for the nonprofit sector and the communities to which we hold ourselves accountable.

Please join us in welcoming Jamie Allison-Hope to the Walter & Elise Haas Fund!

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26 Comments

  3. Robert Burr Sanders, M.Ed.

    I have known Mrs. Allison-Hope for almost twenty years. She is truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. She has always advocated improved societal change and advancement. As a Brock Honors Scholar at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, she was involved in state and local politics, which led to her work with local government and later in the non-profit arena at the Lyndhurst Foundation. She has continued to be a catalyst for change through her work in the Bay Area. For so long she has evoked the words of Margaret Mead… “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Even more so, Mrs. Allison-Hope has embodied and effectuated this belief enhancing the lives of so many. It is certain she will continue to do so in even greater ways as she leads the work at Haas Fund.
    -Robert Burr Sanders, M.Ed.

  5. Sam Maharaj

    With Jamie at the helm the progress of the Haas Fund is assured. Her passion for justice and her genuine concern for the less fortunate among us will no doubt motivate her towards the viability of the fund.

  6. Shannon Farley

    Ecstatic for Jamie Allison-Hope to continue the amazing legacy of the Haas Fund. Jamie is proven innovator and her commitment to justice is unparrallelled. This is fantastic news for the Bay Area and the field of philanthropy.

  8. Angie Chen

    Bravo! Jamie has been a great friend and role model to her peers and emerging leaders in philanthropy and an authentic and visionary partner to her grantees. She’s the perfect choice to continue the Haas Fund’s commitment to creating a more just and vibrant society.

  10. Kathleen Kelly Janus

    What an incredible choice! Jamie Allison-Hope is about as thoughtful and talented as they come. Looking forward to all that is ahead for the Fund!

  11. Chad Bolick

    W&EHF could not have chosen a more exceptional leader for this role. Congrats to you, Jamie – and to Haas and its beneficiaries!

  12. Indi Maharaj

    Congrats Haas Foundation, you did well! Any organization that hires Jamie is very lucky indeed! Jamie is capable of taking the organization to new heights! I wish her the very best!

  14. Fouad Moughrabi

    The Fund is fortunate to have her. She was one of the best in my forty five years of university teaching. I am proud, very proud and I wish her and the Fund my very best.

  15. Judith Chynoweth

    Congratulations Jaime and W&E Haas Jr. Fund. I can’t think of a better match. I am smiling at the thought of the future great accomplishments to come

  16. Kenneth Wun

    Congratulations to the Haas Fund and Jamie! She is an extraordinary person and leader. I am very excited for what’s ahead.

  17. Ayesha Barenblat

    Congratulations to Haas Fund for this truly inspired choice. Jamie Allison-Hope is an incredible leader in the field of philanthropy and will no doubt bring creativity and heart to take the fund to new heights.

  20. Judy Young

    Well done Haas! Congratulations Jamie! I had the pleasure of working with Jamie when we were both Coro fellows for the tenderloin leader cohort. Haas is reshaping what leadership in the foundation should look like. I’m looking forward to working with Jamie and connecting her to our folks in the Tenderloin.

  21. Cynthia Chavez

    Bravo to Jamie, Pam, the Haas Fund trustees, and staff!

    Jamie will skillfully guide the Fund to its next horizon of growth. Undeniably, these are challenging times when our region, state, and country will benefit from more visionary, bold, and equity-driven leaders like Jamie. Congrats all around!!

  22. Tammy Dowley-Blackman

    Congratulations to Pam for the fine work and to Jamie as she prepares to deliver another round of excellence. Exciting!

  23. Shelley Costantini

    Congratulations to all. Jamie has always inspired my network and I know she will do great things for Haas. Well done!

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