Perspectives by Sylvia Yee

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.

Sylvia Yee Former Vice President of Programs

Sylvia served as the Fund’s Vice President of Programs

See Sylvia’s Perspectives

Reflections on 23 years at the Haas, Jr. Fund

September 8, 2016 | by

From Values to Actions

Sylvia Yee offers thanks as she steps down from her role as Vice President of Programs

“What is the change you want to make in the world?” It is a question a colleague posed to me early on as I began my journey in philanthropy. As I reflect back on my 23 years at the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fun…

How Are We Doing?

January 21, 2016 | by

Grantees Assess the Fund’s Impact and Performance

Center for Effective Philanthropy survey of the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantees identifies strengths, areas for improvement

The Haas, Jr. Fund recently commissioned the Center for Effective Philanthropy to conduct a survey of the Fund’s grantees. The Center’s Grantee Perception Reports provide an opportunity for foundations to get anonym…

Noemi Gallardo joins the Haas, Jr. Fund as program fellow

Welcoming Noemí

April 10, 2015 | by

The Fund welcomes its first-ever program fellow

We're thrilled to introduce our new program fellow, Noemí Gallardo.

At the Haas, Jr. Fund, we are big believers in identifying and supporting young leaders who can carry the torch of social justice into the future. This is why we are so pleased to announce the hiring of our first-ev…

Honoring Gamechangers

February 7, 2015 | by

Event brings together coaches, community

The Coaching Corps Game Changer Award honors those who recognize the impact a positive coach can have on a child's life.

Ask a group of people about the adults who influenced their lives when they were younger, and you’re sure to hear a lot of different answers. Moms and Dads. Grandparents. Aunts and uncles. Teachers. For many of us,…

What Does a Fair and Inclusive Society Look Like?

September 23, 2014 | by

How research and community collaboration are coming together at Cal

The Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at U.C. Berkeley is asking hard questions, and transforming research into impact.

I recently had the pleasure of spending my Monday evening on the Cal campus, in beautiful fall weather at the foot of one of the university’s most recognizable landmarks, the Campanile. I was there to hear about a n…

Lesbian couple poses for family portait with their kids in San Francisco

Equal Effort

August 21, 2014 | by

How intentionality and collaboration have helped gay rights progress

In this SSIR article, Sylvia Yee talks about the decade of careful planning and diligent collaboration that helped further marriage equality.

Ten years ago, the fight for marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in the United States looked like a lost cause. When Massachusetts became the first state to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples,…

The Power of Positive Coaching

February 15, 2010 | by

Connecting the dots between great coaching and nonprofits that thrive

Vice president of programs Sylvia Yee weaves together two different strands of coaching and how it can help forward social change in this Letter from the VP.

Haas, Jr. Fund grantee Coaching Corps started its signature program in 2005 to bring high-quality sports opportunities and good coaching to young people in disadvantaged communities throughout the Bay Area. As…