Pamela David

Pamela David is a seasoned cross sector leader with expertise in the fields of community development, the nonprofit sector, and philanthropy. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, a family foundation with deep roots in the Bay Area; the foundation is increasingly using its financial and human resources to address the region’s growing levels of inequity. Ms. David is the former Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Community Development, and former chief of staff of the city’s Human Services Agency. A long-time community activist and organizer across a range of issues and constituencies, Ms. David is passionate about social justice, and is committed to improving the effectiveness of public-private partnerships for social change.

Throughout her career, Ms. David has played an instrumental role in building resources for community-based development in low income neighborhoods, and addressing capacity and sustainability issues in the nonprofit sector. From her experiences organizing a national march for LGBT rights, serving as an advisor on Reverend Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, working for three San Francisco mayors and, now, leading a well-respected family foundation, Ms. David has a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between community, the nonprofit sector, government, and philanthropy.

Ms. David is a board member of the state-wide Campaign for College Opportunity and serves on the Executive Council of HOPE SF. She serves on the advisory boards of the Alliance for Girls, the Horizon Foundation, Northern California Enterprise Community, Openhouse, and GoodMojo.com. She is the former board chair of the National LGBTQ Task Force, Northern California Grantmakers, and Frameline, and has served on the boards of the National Community Development Association, United Way, and several other organizations.
Ms. David is a graduate of Pitzer College and Stanford University’s School of Education.