Conversations with Leaders

Join us to hear from two well-known leaders in philanthropy. San Francisco Foundation Trustee Peggy Saika and Luz Vega-Marquis will share their experiences as leaders of numerous organizations as well as trustees of foundations. You will learn how their roots in activism and advocacy have guided them in their careers and about their thoughts on philanthropy – specifically how the field has changed over the years and their predictions on the future of philanthropy. We will have a wine and cheese reception after the event to honor Peggy and Luz and their contributions to the field.

Presented by Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP)

Date:
Friday, September 10, 2010

Location:
The San Francisco Foundation
225 Bush Street, Suite 500
San Francisco
Directions

Time:
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Conversation
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception

RSVP:
To maria@haasjr.org

Moderated by Raymond Colmenar, program manager at The California Endowment and board member of ZeroDivide

Headshot for web 72dpi

Peggy Saika is the president and executive director of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP). From 1993 to 2000, Ms. Saika was the founding executive director of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and from 1983 to 1991 the executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. Prior to that she helped to create and direct nonprofit organizations in Sacramento and New York City. Spanning a 30-year period of community involvement, Ms. Saika is a co-founder of the Asian Women's Shelter, Asians/Pacific Islanders for Choice, the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, and the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. She has served on the boards of numerous organizations including Equal Rights Advocates, Progressive Assets Management, and the Alston/Bannerman National Fellowship Program. Her involvement in philanthropy has also been extensive. She is the past chairperson of the New World Foundation board of directors and The California Wellness Foundation. She also has served as a board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women, United Way of the Bay Area, the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, the National Network of Grantmakers, and the Council on Foundations. She currently serves on the board of trustees of The San Francisco Foundation. In 2008 she was awarded the LEAD (Leadership, Equity, And Diversity) Award from Women & Philanthropy, celebrating outstanding risk-takers and innovators in the philanthropic community who, through their determination and leadership, have increased funding for programs that promote gender equity and diversity.

Luz A. Vega-Marquis has led Marguerite Casey Foundation since December 2001. As president and CEO, she manages the Foundation's investment portfolio, leads its effort to disburse approximately $30 million in grants annually, and spearheads the organization's focus to positively impact families, youth, and children. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Vega-Marquis served as executive director of the Community Technology Foundation of California (currently ZeroDivide). Ms. Vega-Marquis’ nonprofit experience includes four years as vice president and chief operating officer at the National Economic Development and Law Center. Her career also encompasses 17 years at the James Irvine Foundation, in a variety of executive positions. A leader in her field, Ms. Vega-Marquis has contributed widely to the philanthropic community. A founder of Hispanics in Philanthropy, she has served on numerous boards including The California Wellness Foundation, Council of Foundations, Katalysis Foundation, Northern California Grantmakers, and The Women's Foundation. She currently serves on The Independent Sector and Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights boards of directors. A graduate of the University of San Francisco, Ms. Vega-Marquis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages and earned a Masters degree in Latin American Studies from Stanford University.