We are proud that 100% of our Philanthropy Fellow alum continue to work in the social sector. To date, half of our fellows have become program officers in foundations across the country, while others have assumed critical roles in evaluation, consulting, or senior executive positions within grantee organizations.
Philanthropy Fellow Alum
Jalang Conteh
Reproductive Health Program, 2019-2023
Jalang, originally from The Gambia, supported the Reproductive Health’s Sub Saharan Africa team as a Program Research Analyst as a Philanthropy Fellow. She attended Michigan State University for her undergraduate education in Women and Gender Studies and Public Health, and later obtained an MPH in Maternal and Child Health from UC Berkeley as a MasterCard Foundation Scholar. With a background in community-based research, advocacy, and program implementation, Jalang focused on family planning in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing meaningful community engagement.
Krutika Menon
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROGRAM, 2019-2023
Krutika supported the Reproductive Health’s South Asia team as a Program Research Analyst, drawing from her background in social work, advocacy, and research, particularly in gender equity, health, and humanitarian concerns. Before her role at the Foundation, she served as a Research Analyst at a New York City-based research and design startup, where she explored social issues like menstrual equity and mental health diagnosis, and led efforts to integrate program evaluation into future projects. Krutika holds a Master of Science in Social Work specializing in Social Policy and International Social Work from Columbia University, along with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Social Work from the National University of Singapore.
Aurora Aparicio Collazo
Oceans CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, 2020-2023
Aurora contributed to the Packard Foundation’s Conservation and Science Program as a Program Research Analyst, where she conveyed the broader significance of traditional marine data and provided perspective on environmental justice. During her graduate studies at the University of Michigan, she designed and taught an environmental communications course and participated in the Environmental Grantmakers’ Fellows Program at the Ocean Research and Conservation Association. She holds a master’s degree in Behavior, Education, and Communication from SEAS and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida State University.
Ana Aguilar
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS PROGRAM, 2021-2023
Ana, as a Program Research Analyst for the Organizational Effectiveness Fellowship, focused on prioritizing community knowledge in philanthropy and policy making, conducting research on trauma and resilience. Previously she worked as a research fellow at Bright Research Group in Oakland, CA, and served as an evaluation consultant for a financial literacy nonprofit. Ana researched with organizations like The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas and health clinics in both Texas and California, while pursuing her BA and MA in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University and The University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she is nearing completion of her Ph.D. in Communication Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.
Tiffany Tran
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROGRAM, 2019-2023
Tiffany joined the Reproductive Health Program as a Program Research Analyst, supporting the United States subprogram with a focus on southern states. Her background included community-based health education, program planning, implementation, and advocacy, particularly in comprehensive sexuality education and youth engagement. Before joining the foundation, Tiffany worked at Brown University, supporting campus-wide health initiatives to foster cultural change around social well-being. She holds a Master of Science in Global Health from The University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science from Tulane University.
Elsa Esparza
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2021-2022
As a Program Research Analyst through the Haas School of Business Philanthropy Fellowship, Elsa supported the Children’s, Families, and Communities Program. Previously, she focused on studying the impact of federal nutrition programs on food insecurity, proposing policy solutions to expand reach. Elsa, a Registered Dietitian with a Master of Public Health from UC Berkeley, managed a mixed-methods study at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, investigating awareness, barriers to uptake, benefits of social programs, and the economic impact of COVID-19 on low-income families.
Genora Givens
Climate CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, 2018-2021
Genora joined the Conservation and Science Program at the Packard Foundation as a Climate Program Research Analyst, having collaborated with various teams on evaluating learning initiatives related to bioenergy, palm oil, and agriculture. Prior, she served as an Environmental Grantmakers Association Fellow at Clean Water Action, researching the impact of oil and gas production on U.S. water quality. Genora holds a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and a B.A. from Willamette University.
Maria Tourtchaninova
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Program, 2019-2021
Maria supported the Organizational Effectiveness program as a program analyst. She worked on capacity building across the Foundation’s core program areas. With a background in strategy development, community-based research, and legislative advocacy, Maria has worked on international and domestic projects related to gender-based violence, community development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Maria holds a Master of Social Welfare Management from UC Berkeley and a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
Justina Acevedo-Cross
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGAM, 2010-2011
Currently working as a Director of Community Grants and Initiatives for the Hawaii Community Foundation, Justina Cross supported the Children, Families, and Communities Program as a Research Program Analyst with the Packard Foundation. During her fellowship, she researched and synthesized information related to children’s health insurance, preschool, and summer and afterschool extended learning opportunities for California and nationally. The analysis helped inform the Foundation’s strategic direction related to policy and advocacy. Justina received her Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. from Scripps College.
India Alarcon
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2014-2017
Currently working as a Principal Consultant with Alarcon Consulting, India continues to promote social justice and empower organizations through effective, innovative, and adaptive social research. As a Program Research Analyst for the Children, Families, she developed research for early childhood education, development and health. India holds a BS in Economics from Saint Mary’s College and a Master in Public Policy degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.
Kate (Chadwick) Nester
Local Grantmaking Program, 2015-2016
Kate, currently working as the Program Development Manager with Central California Alliance for Health, worked on all aspects of local grantmaking during her fellowship. Kate came to the fellowship with ten years working both domestically and internationally in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. Kate holds a Master of Development Practice from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts from The Colorado College. Kate is currently Senior Program Development Analyst at Central California Alliance for Health.
Angie Chen
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2008-2009
Currently working as the Executive Director at the Skyline Foundation, Angie supported the Children, Families, and Communities Program with the Packard Foundation.
Angie holds a degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard University, and a Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. She teaches with Northern California Grantmakers’ New Grantmakers Institute, has serves on the board of , and was an American Express NGen Fellow.
Elizabeth Cheung
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2009-2010
Currently working as a Senior Program Officer with the Opportunity for Youth team at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, she is passionate about young people receiving needs to thrive. Before joining the Foundation, Cheung served as a Program Analyst at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in the Children, Families, and Communities Program, and later worked at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, focusing on overseeing the Medi-Cal budget. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development, along with double Bachelor’s degrees in East Asian Studies and Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Elise Dizon Ross
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2011-2012
Elise Dizon-Ross currently works as a Researcher at the American Institute of Research. Her research studies the impacts of economic inequality on student outcomes and the education sector. As a Philanthropy Fellow, she worked with multiple nonprofit and public sector organizations to increase educational opportunities for students, focusing on areas such as chronic absenteeism, out-of-school-time learning, and the implementation of transitional kindergarten. With a Ph.D. in Economics of Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education she is a NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellow, and a recipient of the Stanford Graduate Fellowship. She holds an M.A. and a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.P.P. from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley.
Diana Garcia
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2018-2020
Diana, currently serving as the Senior Administrator of Policy at First Five Alameda County, is dedicated to advancing health, social justice, and equity through policy and systems change. During her fellowship with the Children, Families, and Communities Program, she focused on enhancing the well-being of children and families, contributing to program evaluation and the development of community-based health interventions for marginalized communities. Diana holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, specializing in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education with a certificate in Maternal and Child Health, along with a B.A. from UC Berkeley.
Jessica Mancini
LOCAL GRANTMAKING PROGRAM, 2010-2012
Currently working as a Program Officer for California Communities division at the Packard foundation, Jessica promotes resilient and vibrant communities where people create enduring solutions and children and families thrive. She has also served as a Peace Corp Volunteer in Namibia where she was a high school teacher and managed the construction of village kindergartens. Jessica holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from the Haas School of Business.
Pilar Mendoza
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2012-2013
Pilar currently works as a the Managing Director at Engage R+D, a nonprofit consultant agency. Pilar worked on a range of projects during her Philanthropy Fellowship including advancing high-quality preschool, summer learning and afterschool opportunities for California’s children and increasing access to children’s health coverage nationwide. Pilar holds a Master of Public Policy degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a BA in History from Swarthmore College.
Katherine Murtha
LOCAL GRANTMAKING PROGRAM, 2013-2015
Currently working as a Senior Manager at Charles Schwab Bank National Association for impact-focused community development finance support, she is passionate about deploying capital, assistance, and influence to invest in social, racial, and economic justice. During her Fellowship, Katherine developed a tool to assess community need for a range of funding areas and identified methods to leverage big data, fostered collaboration, and improved the transparency for mutual learning. Katherine graduated from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy with a Master of Public Policy and earned her BA in Economics and Classical Studies from Bryn Mawr College.
Jennifer Shipp
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2013-2014
Jennifer is an executive leader, having served as General Counsel at Arabella Advisors and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and currently at Heising & Simons Foundation. As a Philanthropy Fellow, Jennifer performed research and analysis, prepared written reports across the grantmaking strategy, and engaged with grantees. Jennifer holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, and a B.B.A. from Emory University.
Anitra Smith
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, 2017-2018
Anitra currently works as a Program Officer at the Sunlight Foundation and specializes in community health, safety net systems, and health equity. As a Philanthropy Fellow, she researched and synthesize information related to health care coverage, access, and systems of care for California and the nation. Her provided analysis informed the Foundation’s strategic direction on policy and advocacy. Anitra holds a Master in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.S in Human Development from the University of California, Davis.
Rachel Wang
CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE PROGRAM | Oceans, 2018-2020
Rachel currently works as an s a Program Research Analyst, she provided research and analysis to inform and evaluate the Ocean Strategy Framework at the Packard Foundation. Trained as an ecologist, Rachel received her M.S. from the University of Georgia, studying the carbon exchange in the salt marsh estuarine ecosystem. She also holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the Ocean University of China.
