About the program... Join AiP and EBCF for an engaging panel discussion that will showcase how community foundations and professional advisors can partner to support clients' philanthropic goals and create transformative impact in the local community. Attendees will learn about EBCF's unique charitable services, approach to strategic philanthropy, and role in promoting the next –generation of donor leadership in the East Bay. This event provides an excellent opportunity for professional advisors to network with colleagues and discover how partnering with EBCF can enhance their practice and help clients embody values through charitable giving. This Professional Advisor brunch is an ideal event for professionals working in the areas of law, accounting, financial planning, philanthropic advising, or wealth management. Light brunch will be served. Schedule...
10:00-10:30 am: Networking & Brunch
10:30-10:45 am: Welcome & Community Building
11:00 am-12:00 pm: Panel Discussion
12:00-12:30 pm: Networking & Brunch Panel Information... Moderator: Elle Fersan
Vice President of Philanthropy, East Bay Community Foundation Elle Fersan brings over two decades of leadership experience in organizational growth and strategic partnerships. At EBCF, she directs philanthropic advising and donor engagement teams, crafting strategies that drive impactful change. With a diverse background spanning academia, government, and international organizations, Elle has secured over $100 million in funding and spearheaded successful capital campaigns for critical social justice causes. Before joining EBCF, Elle served as Executive Vice President at the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). Prior to that, she directed initiatives aiding civil society and asylum seekers at the University of Southern California during the 2018 family separation crisis. Elle is trilingual; fluent in Arabic, French, and English, she holds a Master of Arts in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco, and a Master of Arts in History from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon. Panelists:
Byron Johnson
Senior Program Director, East Bay Community Foundation Byron Johnson leads the ASCEND: BLO (Black Led Organizations) initiative to strengthen Black-Led organizations in the Bay Area. Before coming to the Foundation in 2017, he was as a Senior Project Director at CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, where he designed and delivered cohort-based leadership development programs such as the Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color and worked with individuals, boards, and teams to increase trust and accountability during times of change and transition. Prior to CompassPoint, Byron spent over ten years in leadership and senior fund development positions for several Bay Area nonprofit organizations, including San Francisco State University and the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). Byron attended San Francisco State University and received his bachelor’s degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. He is also a professionally certified coach and fundraising executive. A proud Oakland native, he currently serves on the advisory boards of the California Black Freedom Fund and Dimensions Dance Theater. Catherine Chen
Managing Director and Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth Management Catherine has been in the investment field since 1993. She advises foundations, non-profits, and high net worth individuals on ESG and impact investments. Catherine serves as a Board Member of the East Bay Community Foundation and is a former Advisory Board member of the Women's Funding Network and former Board member of the Children's Council of San Francisco. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a BA in Economics and History and is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Recognized as a Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisor, Forbes/SHOOK Best in State Wealth Advisor, and recipient of the Forbes/SHOOK Working Mothers Award, Catherine is a member of the Social Investment Forum and holds Series 7 and 66 licenses, as well as a California insurance license. She is a proud parent of two children with her husband. Yael Chanoff
Donor Organizer, Documentary Film Researcher Yael grew up in San Francisco and has seen it through many of its ups, downs, and changes. She has spent most of her adult years committed to the equitable distribution of wealth, land, and power with groups such as Resource Generation and POOR Magazine Solidarity Family, and is actively redistributing her inheritance via her Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at EBCF. She graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in History and, outside of her activism, works as a researcher for documentary films. Her work has been featured in documentaries such the Emmy-winning ATHLETE A, Peabody award-winning AUDRIE & DAISY, and BAFTA-nominated AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER. Other Details... Map/locations details along with public transportation, driving and parking options available here.
Please reach out to development@eastbaycf.org with questions. | 
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