Perspectives by Denis Chicola

Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

Denis Chicola Director of Communications

Denis works to ensure that communications are at the core of the Fund’s efforts to advance rights and create opportunities.

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Names Raúl Macías as Program Director

April 2, 2021 | by

Voting Rights Advocate and Election Reformer to Lead Fund’s Democracy Grantmaking

In this position, Macías will lead the development and launch of strategies for achieving the Fund’s goal of building a fairer and more representative democracy in California.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced that it has hired Raúl Macías as program director for democracy. In this position, Macías will lead the development and launch of strategies for achieving the Fun…

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Names Dan Torres as Program Director

April 2, 2021 | by

Former Senior CA Immigration Official to Lead Fund’s Immigrant Rights Grantmaking

In this position, Torres will lead the Fund’s immigration work with a focus on achieving safety, solidarity and dignity for young U.S. immigrants.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund has hired Dan Torres as program director for immigrant rights. In this position, Torres will lead the Fund’s immigration work with a focus on achieving safety, solidarity and dig…

Jirayut “New” Latthivongskorn hugs a high school friend while wearing his mortarboard during his graduation party at Marina Park in San Leandro to celebrate his achievement at UCSF’s School of Medicine.

From Dreamer to Doctor

June 12, 2019 | by

Hats Off to the First Undocumented Graduate of UCSF Medical School

New Latthivongskorn’s story is a reminder of the power of the American Dream.

In a front-page article in May, the San Francisco Chronicle told the story of how a young man born in Thailand became the first undocumented graduate in the history of UC San Francisco’s Medical School. At the Haas,…

Haas, Jr. Fund Names Cathy Cha as President

January 7, 2019 | by

A bold new chapter in the Fund’s history of collaborative, values-driven philanthropy

Appointment of former Vice President of Programs is capstone of two-year leadership transition.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Board of Directors of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced that Cathy Cha has officially stepped into her new role as President of the Fund. Cha’s appointment is the capstone of a…

Welcoming Robert Joseph

October 23, 2018 | by

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Hires New Vice President of Programs

Robert will oversee the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantmaking and the development of program strategies.

San Francisco — The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund announced today that it has hired Robert Joseph as Vice President of Programs. Robert joins the Fund after serving in a senior leadership position with Tipping Po…

Haas, Jr. Fund Welcomes Two New Program Directors

July 17, 2017 | by

Social change leaders tapped to guide the Fund’s Immigrant Rights, Education Equity programs

John Govea, Raquiba LaBrie to play key roles in the Fund’s ongoing work to advance rights and create opportunities for all people.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund announced today that it has hired new staff leaders for its Immigrant Rights and Education Equity programs. John Govea, a former senior program officer with the Robert Wood Jo…

Jennie Watson and Cathy Cha at Crissy Field

Haas, Jr. Fund Announces New Leaders

January 12, 2017 | by

Fund staff members Jennie Lehua Watson, Cathy Cha promoted to top leadership roles

Watson to serve as interim president for two years. Cha is promoted to vice president of programs and will become Fund president in 2019.

The Board of Directors of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced appointments to top staff positions. Jennie Lehua Watson, formerly the Fund’s vice president of special initiatives and communications,…

A Special Grantmaking Initiative

November 1, 2016 | by

Honoring Ira Hirschfield’s Leadership

With Ira Hirschfield stepping down as president, the Directors of the Haas, Jr. Fund are making $1 million in grants to 45 organizations whose work has been especially meaningful to Ira.

The board of directors of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund are pleased to announce a special grantmaking program in honor of Ira Hirschfield’s visionary and effective leadership of the Fund over the past 28 year…