Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Crail-Johnson Foundation, Open Society Foundations
Isaiah M. Oliver, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint MI
Isaiah advocates for an inclusive approach to philanthropy that listens to and works with the people of the community. He focuses on developing true partnerships which honor relationships and people. He leads the Foundation’s strategic priorities around improving literacy, increasing access to healthy food, strengthening resident-led neighborhood improvements, and providing critical resources to the children affected by the Flint Water Crisis. Previously, he also led the foundation’s grantmaking operations. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and Flint Cultural Center Corporation, as Advisor to the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy, and on the board of CFLeads which helps U.S. community foundations galvanize action on the critical issues of our time.
Rachel Roth, Executive Director, Crail-Johnson Foundation, San Pedro, CA
Rachel served as Program Officer for the foundation beginning in 2013. In 2019, she became Executive Director, responsible for all aspects of the Foundation, with the exception of investment management. Rachel attended the University of California, Irvine and Lewis & Clark College receiving a B.A. in Philosophy and Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles receiving a Certificate in Graphic Design. From 2003 until 2012, after working as a freelance designer, Rachel served as Executive Director for Roth Family Foundation and remains an active trustee/board member. Currently, Rachel is Chair of the Executive Committee of the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, Co-chair of a Liberty Hill Foundation donor-advised fund, and serves on the Family Philanthropy Advisory Council for Southern CA Grantmakers.
Thomas Hilbink, Director, Grant Making Support Group, Open Society Foundations, New York, NY
Tom leads efforts to foster a shared culture of grant making across the Open Society's global network of programs and foundations through policy, training, and knowledge development. Previously, Tom was senior program officer with Open Society U.S. Programs, overseeing portfolios on constitutional and legal advocacy, political corruption, transparency, and LGBTI rights. He also developed and led a portfolio on civic engagement and government reform in New Orleans and was assistant professor of legal studies University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Hilbink's work with government and civil society includes positions at the U.S. Court of Appeals (10th Circuit), the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the UN International Law Commission, the American Civil Liberties Union, and SOS Racisme-Catalunya.
Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center
Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.
