Our Path
Our Progress
2025 ANNUAL REPORT
1 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Table of Contents
03 Message from the CEO
04 Mission, Vision & Values
07 Our Continuum
10 The Path Begins: Early Learning
14 Progress in Motion: Kindergarten to 12 gradeth
21 The Path Realized: College and Career
26 Recognizing our Partners
29 Our Financials
35 Our Donors
40 Our Board
41 Join the Promise
2 | ANNUAL REPORT
This past year reminded us that progress isn’t linear; it’s a pathway that begins long before a child enters school and continues well into adulthood. At Oakland Promise, our work is to make that path visible, supported, and full of possibility.
We’ve seen meaningful growth across our cradle-to-career continuum: Brilliant Baby families opening college savings accounts, K–12 students engaging in programs that inspire growth, and high school graduates stepping into college and career with real support behind them. This year, 1,007 babies were enrolled in Brilliant Baby, over 14,000 K–12 students and caregivers were reached through programs and partnerships, and 1,436 graduates received over $5 million in scholarships; milest
ones that reflect what’s possible when a community invests in its young people.
As a backbone organization, our role remains clear — to connect families, align s
ystems, and strengthen the support network surrounding every student. Our progress reflects the power of partnership and the shared belief that Oakland’s young people deserve every opportunity to dream and achieve.
As we move toward our tenth anniversary in 2026, I’m driven by both the progress we’ve made and the future we can still shape. Our journey continues to be rooted in persistence, partnership, and promise.
Our students’ path is c lear, our progress is real, and our promise endures.
With gratitude,
Sandra Ernst
CEO, Oakland Promise
3 | OAKLAND PROMISE
A Message from the CEO
Our Path, Our Progress
By 2030, we’re committed to putting 50,000
young people on a path toward
postsecondary attainment.
At Oakland Promise, our mission is rooted in one belief: When a community stands behind its young people, opportunity grows. As a backbone organization, we work hand in hand with families, schools, and partners across Oakland to advance equity and economic mobility from cradle to college and career.
Mission, Vision &
Values
4 | OAKLAND PROMISE
OUR JOURNEY TOWARD PROMISE
Every child deserves a clear, supported path toward opportunity. We’re here to help illuminate that path, ensuring students have the guidance, resources, and support they need at every stage from cradle to career.
Grounded in our Unity Principles—transparency, accountability, equity, community, joy, and integrity— we stay focused on what matters: Supporting our students and families, aligning systems, and turning investment into real change.
Together, we’re shaping a stronger, more connected Oakland where every young per
son can thrive.
EVERY
JOURNEY
BEGINS WITH
A PATH
5 | OAKLAND PROMISE
At Oakland Promise, that path connects early
learning programs to college, education to potential,
and promise to prosperity, guiding young people
toward futures shaped by opportunity,
resilience, and hope.
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Education becomes powerful when every
step forward is supported, connected,
and rooted in opportunity.
The Cradle-to-Career Pathway
Our three interconnected domains — Early
Learning, K-12, and College and Career, are
designed to evolve with each scholar, meeting their
changing needs and celebrating each achievement
along the way.
At Oakland Promise, our cradle-to-career continuum is more than a collection of programs; it is a pathway that begins at birth and continues throughout a child’s academic journey.
From a baby’s first college savings account (CSA) to a student’s first college acceptance letter, Oakland Promise walks alongside families through every season of learning and transition.
Our Continuum
7 | OAKLAND PROMISE
This work has both heart and backbone: the
heart is in families who dream boldly for their
children, and the backbone is the coordinated
supports and partnerships that help those dreams
take shape.
By working closely with schools and
community organizations, we make sure no
student moves through their journey alone.
Every investment and every promise
strengthens their momentum,
turning early beginnings into
lasting success.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$100 K-9 Scholarships for
Kindergartners and 5th graders
College tours and school-based
programs for students
Community workshops for families
EARLY CHILDHOOD
$500 CSA for low-income families
Financial literacy classes and
coaching
A peer community of caregivers
planning for college
Access to trusted local early
childhood resources
8 | OAKLAND PROMISE
ALUMNI
Access to supplemental scholarships
to support graduate school or
professional development
Continued access to workshops and
conferences
The Cradle-to-
Career Pathway
MIDDLE SCHOOL
$100 K-9 Scholarship for 6th and
8th graders
College tours and school-based
programs for students
Community workshops for
families
HIGH SCHOOL
$100 K-9 Scholarships for 9th graders
$2,000- $16,000 Scholarships plus continued
postsecondary journey support for 12th graders
College tours and school-based programs for
students
Community workshops for families
Help with postsecondary planning, including
support with college & financial aid applications
POSTSECONDARY
1:1 Coaching &
Advising
Mentor Support &
Peer-to-Peer
Support
Workshops &
Conferences
Career &
Leadership
Development
9 | ANNUAL REPORT
A cradle-to-career journey takes all of
us — families, educators, partners, and
a community committed to seeing every
child thrive.
Offered in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mam,
Mandarin and Arabic, Brilliant Baby reflects
our commitment to inclusion and makes
future education feel real and attainable for
every family.
At Oakland Promise, we believe success
starts long before a child enters the
classroom. Our Early Learning domain
builds the foundation for a cradle-to-career
journey by ensuring that from birth, every
child is surrounded by opportunity,
support, and belief in their potential.
The Path Begins:
Early Learning
Where Every Journey Toward Opportunity
Takes Its First Step | Ages 5 and Under
Through strategic investments, strong partnerships, and targeted programming, we equip parents and caregivers with the tools to nurture both development and big dreams. When families are supported early, children are better prepared to learn and thrive.
10 | OAKLAND PROMISE
At the center of Early Learning is our Brilliant Baby
program, giving income-eligible Oakland families with
children under the age of five a strong early start. In partnership with the Oakland Children’s Initiative, the program opens $500 college savings accounts and
connects families to financial literacy classes, coaching, and workshops on early learning and
child development.
This past year, our Brilliant Baby program enrolled
1,007 new babies, bringing the total to over 3,000
families now walking the path with us.
African American/Black Asian Filipino Hispanic/ Latino Multiracial Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Other White
2023 2024 2025
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
Figure 1: Brilliant Baby Enrollees by Race/Ethnicity Over Time 11 | ANNUAL REPORT
A 10-year longitudinal study led by the University of Chicago’s evaluator NORC confirms our impact; parents report greater hope, stronger college-bound identity for their children, and more confidence in their financial futures.
“When I joined Brilliant Baby’s
Community Connections, I was
introduced to valuable community
programs like The Unity Council and
Mujeres Unidas y Activas. Through
these connections, Brilliant Baby
opened doors I never imagined possible.
The $500 college savings account for
my son’s future, along with the financial
education workshops and coaching,
became the foundation for a completely
new way of thinking about our fa mily’s
future.
These opportunities changed my life—
not just financially, but emotionally and
personally. I learned how to organize our
finances, create an emergency fund,
and even save for our first family
vacation. For the first time, we were no
longer living paycheck to paycheck. I
also began participating in financial
decisions at home, which made me feel
more valued and confident. Little by
litt le, we reached goals we once thought
were out of reach—like buying a home
and planning for our children’s
education.
Today, we’re certain that our son
Emanuel will go to college because we
believe in the opportunities now
available to make that dream a reality.
Oakland Promise has given our family
a sense of belonging and a clear path
toward a brighter future.”
-Blanca R. Brilliant Baby Parent
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Our K–12 domain guides students through the longest stretch of the cradle- to-career journey, working with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), charter schools, and community partners to help them move confidently toward college, career, and life-long success.
Progress in Motion: K-12
Guiding Students Through the Middle Miles
Ages 6-11
Through Kindergarten to College
(K2C) and a network of programs
powered by Oakland Promise,
Oakland Children's Initiative and
school partners, students gain
mentorship, enrichment, and
opportunities that help them see
themselves as scholars, leaders
and change makers.
Over 14,000 K–12 students and caregivers
engaged with Oakland Promise programs and
partnerships in 2025.
Embedded in every Oakland public
elementary school, K2C helps kindergarten–
5th grade students and their families see
postsecondary education as an
attainable future.
Each $100 scholarship—for kindergarteners and
students in grades 5, 6, 8, and 9—reinforces a simple
message: Your dreams matter, and your
community believes in you.
As Oakland’s children grow, the support around them
grows too. This is where the path widens.
15 | ANNUAL REPORT
“Last year, I went on a field trip to visit UC Berkeley when I was an 8th grader at Roosevelt Middle School in
Oakland. Being able to visit UC Berkeley impacted me
to making more friends and open up to new people
and opportunities to graduate high school and going
to college. It felt like no one is judging you and it also felt like it’s a place for you to be who you are. In the student panel, in that moment, it felt like the students in UC Berkeley wanted us to go to college and even told us about Oakland Promise. I do want to go to college.
It is
important to me because I could get more job offers
and help my family.”
Alisa C, Oakland High School Student
16 | ANNUAL REPORT
Through research-backed programs,
strong family partnerships, and
community-centered investments,
Oakland Promise and the Oakland
Children’s Initiative work together to
strengthen academic growth, nurture
social-emotional development, and
build a confident, college-bound
identity. From after-school enrichment
to mentorship, students are supported
at every step. Our commitment starts
at the margins, investing in those
fur
thest from opportunity and creating
pathways that make college, career,
and economic mobility truly
within reach.
Progress in Motion: K-12
EAST OAKLAND
PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD (EOPN)
EOPN brings a coordinated, holistic approach to East
Oakland, aligning K–12 services so students have a
supported path to college and career.
Oakland Promise is proud to serve as the backbone
organization for the East Oakland Promise Neighborhood
initiative (EOPN), the first federally funded Promise
Neighborhoods Planning Grant secured by the City of
Oakland. Through coordinated grant-making, aligned
partnerships, and collaborative convening across East
Oakland, EOPN brings together schools, community
organizations, and local leaders to build a more connected an
d opportunity-rich ecosystem.
Harnessing Citywide Collaboration
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18 | ANNUAL REPORT
1,436 scholarships were awarded to
Oakland Public high school seniors who are
heading to college this year—the most in
our history, more than $5 million for
students pursuing postsecondary education.
83% of this year’s scholarship recipients are
the first in their families to attend college,
illustrating a generational shift in
access and aspiration.
NEXT EXIT
OAKLAND PROMISE
As students enter middle and
high school, the path ahead
becomes clearer, and the stakes
become higher. These are the
years when confidence meets
curiosity, and when young
people begin to envision their
futures. The College Access
programs within our K-12 domain
ensure that every student has the
guidance, experiences, and belief
they need to turn that vision
into reality.
The Path Ahead: K-12
Preparing Oakland’s Students to Dream Boldly and Step
Forward with Purpose | Ages 12-18
In close collaboration with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), charter schools, and community-based organizations, Oakland Promise helps students and their families navigate this critical phase of the
cradle-to-career journey.
THE DATA IS CLEAR: OUR STUDENTS RECOGNIZE THAT
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION REMAINS ONE OF THE STRONGEST
AND MOST RELIABLE PATHS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY.
19 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Scholarships strengthen both access and belief, helping students and families see a clear path to college and career with Oakland Promise by their side.
Among the Class of 2024, 85% of the 12th grade
scholarship recipients enrolled in college.
These numbers are a testament to the power of partnership and the strength of Oakland’s collective ecosystem.
College Bound
Trade School
Career
Travel
“I attended a UC Berkeley field trip during my 8th
grade year. The trip was very informative and fun,
we got to communicate with students by asking
questions to them along with them giving us
knowledge about what it’s like at UC Berkeley.
We learned about the application process, the
dorms, the clubs, programs, and tutoring that
they offer. We also got to learn about
scholarships and more opportunities and help we
can receive from UC Berkeley.
During the field trip we also got to see the actual
environment of the college with students walking
around us and the fact that we got to visit one of
their libraries, their tower, and their stadium.
This
field trip along with other influences has made
UC Berkeley one of the colleges that I would
like to attend because I see it as a convenient
option, but I also see it as a college that will help
me with my career and goals a great amount.”
Janely J. M, 9
grade studentth
20 | OAKLAND PROMSIE
Each Oakland Promise scholar is
paired with an Oakland Promise
Advisor or “Coach”, ensuring
that support continues long
after acceptance letters are
opened. Our partner, Beyond 12,
builds on that structure,
connecting first-year college
students with experienced peers
and campus-specific networks
that include financial aid, health
services, and resource centers.
The Path Realized: College,
Career, and Beyond
The final stretch of the cradle-to-career journey is where persistence becomes purpose. Oakland Promise’s College and Career domain supports scholars as they navigate college, earn their degrees, and step into meaningful careers. The majority are the first in their families to do so, each step marking progress for generations.
46.5% of Oakland Promise Scholars from the Class of 2018 have completed college - compared to just 29% nationally for students from similar low-income high schools - and another 20.3% are still enrolled and working toward their degrees.
Every graduate represents a shared
investment realized. From that first
savings account to a diploma in
hand, the journey has been
meaningful and intentional.
Across Oakland, students consistently recognize college as a powerful step toward opportunity, mobility, and lasting success.
Turning Achievement Into Impact,
and Promise Into Purpose | Ages 18-24
ECONOMC MOBILITY
GENERATIONAL WEALTH
21 | OAKLAND PROMSIE
98%
22 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Since our
inception in 2016,
Oakland Promise
has supported
nearly 4,800
scholars through
college and
career pathways.
In 2025, over college students
received ongoing financial,
academic, and emotional support.
of surveyed
scholars report a
positive impact
from Oakland
Promise.
But the pathway doesn’t end at graduation. Our Alumni Program helps scholars stay connected to Oakland Promise, returning as mentors, professionals, and leaders who give back to the very ecosystem that supported them. From career development workshops to volunteer opportunities, these alumni embody the promise fulfilled, a generation leading the way for the next. 2,500
Cite financial relief that helped them
avoid debt and stay enrolled.
66%
76%
Say Oakland Promise gave them a sense of
community and belonging.
23 | ANNUAL REPORT
“The Oakland Promise Scholarship has supported my academic journey in both practical and transformative ways. The funding is flexible and easy to access, helping me cover books and rent without extra stress. But the real impact has come from the guidance and opportunities OP provides — from workshops and newsletters to advisors who are genuinely invested in our growth.
My advisor reviewed my resume and helped me secure an internship at Credit Karma, an experience that clarified my career goals and pushed me to take initiative and pursue new opportunities. I learned how large companies work, built confidence in networking, and saw firsthand how essential AI is becoming in every field. I now use AI tools in my campus job and I am pursuing Google’s AI certificates.
Oakland Promise didn’t just support my education — it opened doors, expanded my skills, and helped me chart a clearer path from college to career.” Monica T, Oakland Promise Scholar
“Our collaboration with Oakland Promise reflects a shared vision for what is possible when communities invest in students’ long-term success. Beyond 12 is proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to ensuring Oakland students persist through college and emerge with the skills, degrees, and opportunities that set them up for lifelong success.“
Alex Bernadotte, CEO & Founder, Beyond 12
Partner Spotlight
24 | ANNUAL REPORT
Beyond 12 is a national, tech-enabled nonprofit that helps institutions provide their students with the academic, social, and emotional support they need to succeed in higher education. Through a proven, personalized approach to coaching, Beyond 12 meets students where they are, amplifying their power and agency, while guiding them through any challenge they may encounter.
BEYOND 12
25 | OAKLAND PROMISE
We are deeply inspired by the unwavering commitment of our partners who walk this path alongside us every day. Through your leadership, creativity, and collaboration, you open doors of opportunity for Oakland’s students, helping them discover their strengths, nurture their ambitions, and see what’s possible for their futures.
Together, we are building an educational ecosystem rooted in equity and belief, one that ensures every Oakland student has the support, access, and encouragement to move forward with confidence. Your partnership transforms classrooms into launchpads for dreams and keeps the road to opportunity open for all.
Recognizing Our
Partners
Walking the Path Together
26 | OAKLAND PROMISE
We extend our deepest gratitude to the City of Oakland and the Oakland Children’s Initiative, whose continued investment allows us to serve more students and families across our community.
27 | OAKLAND PROMISE
PEERFORWARD
“I actually love this
experience. I want to be an
orthopedic surgeon. They
helped me think about
college and ask the right
questions that I really need
to get in depth about.”
PeerForward harnesses the power of peer-to-peer connections to transform in
dividuals, schools, and communities. With the right tools, coaching, and support, student leaders become catalysts for change—not only shaping their own futures but also inspiring their peers. Each year, Peer Leaders execute hundreds of campaigns guiding high school seniors toward postsecondary success. At the center of the PeerForward ecosystem, th ey exemplify the organization’s ethos: lifting each other to new heights through shared leadership among staff, alumni, volunteers, and students.
DOMINIC A. FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
Partner Spotlight
28 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Recognizing Our
Community Partners
BANANAS INC.
Beyond 12
Black Cultural Zone
Brighter Beginnings
Building Alliances Coaching and Consulting
Community Roots Financial
East Bay Agency for Children
The East Bay Consortium of Educational
Institutions, Inc.
East Oakland Youth Development Center
Families in Action
Financial Capability Investment
First 5 Alameda County
FutureMap
The Hidden Genius Project
Junior Achievement of Northern California
Kingmakers of Oakland
La Clínica de La Raza, Inc.
Lotus Bloom
MISSSEY
Museum of Children's Art
Oakland Kids First
Oakland Leaf
Oakland Natives Give Back
Oakland Unified School District
OneGoal
PeerForward
Peralta Community College District
Roots Community Health
Tandem, Partners in Early Learning
The 5 Buckets 4 Shovels Foundation
Trybe Inc.
The Unity Council
uAspire
UCSF Health
Youth Alive
YouthBeat
Our partners are essential in delivering Oakland’s cradle-to-career supports citywide, helping to build a seamless network of opportunities for children, youth, and families.
Our Financial Overview
Fueling the Path Forward
Every mile of Oakland Promise’s journey is powered by partnership and the trust, generosity, and shared belief of those who invest in the future of Oakland’s youth.
Our financial stewardship reflects that same commitment: transparency, accountability, and reinvestment into the communities we serve.
Our story is one of progress made possible by collective investment. Every dollar, every partnership, and every act of generosity extends the path a little farther, helping us expand scholarships and strengthen
cradle-to-career supports.
80%
20%
FY25 PROGRAM VS.
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
14%
22%
60%
FY25 REVENUE BREAKDOWN
($17.6M)
29 | OAKLAND PROMISE
27%
18%
4%
6% 6%
37%
FY25 ANNUAL EXPENSES($17.9M )
2%
GROWTH IN
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
INVESTMENTS
30 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Our Financial Overview
Fueling the Path Forward
31 | ANNUAL REPORT
Acknowledging
Our Supporters
Next year marks a milestone: Ten years of Oakland
Promise. Ten years of walking beside students and
families, of transforming hope into progress, and of
building a community where opportunity is
possible for all.
As we look ahead, we know the work is far from
finished. The foundation we’ve built– rooted in
collaboration, equity, and measurable impact; is
only the beginning. The next chapter is about
strengthening the entire cradle-to-career pathway,
making sure that every step a student takes is
supported by a community that believes deeply in
their potential.
That means deeper partnerships across Oakland and
c
ontinuing to serve as the backbone that aligns
efforts, shares data, and drives measurable impact.
The Road Forward: A Decade of Promise
and the Journey Still to Come
To our funders, partners, families, and friends:
Thank you for standing with us through every
mile of this journey.
32 | OAKLAND PROMISE
At Oakland Promise, we’ll keep leading with both
head and heart, guided by evidence, grounded in
equity, and driven by purpose. Our vision remains
simple yet powerful: that every student in
Oakland, no matter their zip code, deserves the
chance to dream boldly, plan confidently, and
achieve a future that’s truly theirs.
The path we’ve
traveled has shown
what’s possible when a
city moves together.
The path ahead is
about going even
further—building
stronger bridges,
expanding
opportunity, and
ensuring that the
promise we make to
every student continues to shine for the next decade
and beyond. It’s clear that we can’t do this alone,
thank you for continuing on this journey
with us.
33 | OAKLAND PROMISE
34 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Your Support Keeps the Promise Moving Forward
To our incredible donors, thank you. Your generosity is the fuel that keeps this journey in motion. Every investment you make opens doors for Oakland’s students, helping them walk their own path toward education, opportunity, and lasting success.
Your belief in what’s possible empowers young people to dream bigger, reach higher, and build futures defined not by circumstance, but by choice.
Our FY25 Donors
“I have been a long time donor to Oakland Promise
because I want the young people in the city I call home to have the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education. I believe in the power of post-
secondary education to break the cycle of poverty, to
launch young people into the careers of their choosing
and to inspire generations to come.”
Susan Stutzman, Oakland Community Member
*Multi-year gifts with full gift amount
recognized. This list includes donors
who made gifts between
7/1/2024-6/30/2025.
Thank you to our 2025 Awards Ceremony Sponsors.
To join us as a corporate partner, email [email protected] 35 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Arthur Rock and Toni Rembe Rock
City of Oakland*
Kaiser Permanente*
US Department of Education*
Walter and Elise Haas Fund*
$1,000,000+
Our path forward is only possible because of the people who walk it with us. To every donor who has invested in Oakland Promise, thank you. Your support fuels the programs that open doors, widen opportunity, and reach students and families in every neighborhood across Oakland.
36 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Carl and Robin Washington*
Kenneth Lin and Serrie Singhasiri
Mark and Susan Stutzman
Payette River Foundation*
The Koshland Foundation*
$500K - $999K
Anonymous
Chime Scholars Foundation*
Harlem Children's Zone
Harold Barre
Hellman Foundation*
Irene S. Scully Foundation*
KHR McNeely Family Foundation*
NBA Foundation
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
Warriors Community Foundation
$100K - $499K
Brickyard J Fund
Oakland Rotary*
Quest Foundation
Susie and Eric Poncelet
The Chris and Melody Malachowsky Family
Foundation
$50K - $99K
Alex R. Graf Memorial Scholarship Fund-Lighthouse
Community Charter School
Amazon
Andrea and Paul Swenson
Apollo Partners
Barbara and Andrew Fremder
Carol Baird and Alan Harper
Citibank
Cornell C. Maier Irrevocable Living Trust of 1979
Credit Karma
Esther Moran*
Gina Rafanelli and Jason Flynn
Impact Assets
Jan Deming and Jeffrey Goodby
John Nelson and Hortensia Chang
Lisa and Joe Downes
Oakland Athletics Investment Group LLC
Oakland Public Education Fund
PolicyLink
Regina and Melodie Myers
Robert and Jordan Stark
Sylvia Smith and Stan Kowalski*
The Magnolia Fund at East Bay Community Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation
University of California Office of the President (UCOP)* Vistra Corp.
$10K - $49K
* Recognizes donors who support Oakland Promise through multi-year commitments 37 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Bret Dickey
Claudia and James Harrison
R Goodman and John T. Burns
Frederick and Anne Barstow
Northern California College Promise
Coalition
S.H. Cowell
Samuel Test
Susan Feller
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
Ann Branston
Annie Pathiparampil
Barry Adler and Betsy Buchalter Adler
Ben and Mary Feinberg
Ben Fong-Torres
Beverly Ark
Bill Higbee and Mandy McDonough
Brooke and Gordon Berg
Carl Shapiro
Carlos Vera
Clara Grace Gerdes
Deborah Shefler
Elijah Fletcher
Geoff Bass
Gregory D Call
The Indigo Oak Fund
Jane Sherman and Paul Smith
John Chalik
John Claisse
Jordan Marcus
Joseph Zhang
Kim Thompson and John Bliss
Kramer-Palangio Fund
Marcia and David Farrar
Marjorie Shapiro and Ian Hinchliffe
Mark Takemoto
Mary Kathryn Lynch
Melinda Vahedi
Michael Loeb
Miho Kubota
Nancy Erb
Nari Williams
Olson Remcho LLP
$1,000 - $4,999
Redge and Carole Martin
Reinhart Family Fund
Samuel Miller and Maude Pervere
San Francisco Giants
Shelby Solomon
Steven Mathews
StriveTogether
Drs. Theodore Levin and Rona Bar-Din
Thomas Gold
Todd Mills and Kim Dung Nguyen
Trish Chapman
Valerie Stoll Schwimmer
Aiko Lee
Alex Youngquist
Alice and Michael Ranahan
Alinda Louie
Amy K. Worth and William F. Mitchel Jr.
Amy Kivel
Anahid Katchian
Andrew and Tina Coleman
Anita Bloch
Anna Marie Ramos
Barbara Morrissette
Barbara Poole
Beth Ann Steinberg
Beverly Blatt
Bill Waters
Bonnie Jonsson
Bridget Brennan
Bridget ONeal
Bruce Keilin
Bryan Kassing
Caplin Foundation
Carol Badran
Carol Copperud
Carol S. Dunkle
Charles Marlowe
Charles Noll
Charlotte Hennessy
Chevron
Chris Ertel and Johanna Buurman
Cory Martin
Craig Sundstrom
Daniel Connors
$999 and Below
* Recognizes donors who support Oakland Promise through multi-year commitments Anonymous
Dava Freed
David Brown
David Cohen
David Lewis
Deirdre Dolan
Deson Redd
Donald Falk
Donald Rubenstein
Donna Williams
Dr. and Mrs. J. William Smith
Drew L. Robarts
E.L.F Beauty
Eli Altman
Elizabeth Gray
Elizabeth Merck
Ellen Sirbu
Felicia and Joel Vargas
First Unitarian Church of
Oakland
Franklin Silver
Frederick Butler II
George Seay
Gina Lee
Gregory Linden
Helen Cake
Hilary Polis
Ira H Fateman
Jackie Berkman
James Frei
Jan Faraguna
Jane Emily Porter Hunter
Janet Hankammer
Janet Hashimoto
Janine Brown
Jaye E Erickson
Jennifer Elwell
Jennifer Rose
Jiyun Cameron Lee
Joel Mackey and Mary Biasotti
John Laurance Blaustein
John McWeeny
John Toupin
Jonathan Allen
Jonathan Fearn
$999 and Below
38 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Jonathan Jacobs
Jonathan Simon Blatteis and
Bonnie Volk
Joseph Imwalle
Jules Bennett
Karen Bovarnick
Karen Carlson
Karen Sternstein
Katherine Koelle
Kathleen C Spohr
Kathy Klein
Ken Schneider
Kenny Dalsheimer
Kent Hughes
Kimberly Lum
Kristine Vanderhoof
Les Hausrath
Leslie Radin
Llyana Landes
Lynn Greenberg and Michael
Rothschild
Marlene J Barneveld
Martin and Ronna Benjamin
Mary Biasotti
Matt Carrere
Matthew Kade
Matthew Orfuss
Max Heninger
May Atup
Melanie Brinkman
Meng Williams
Mhisani Miller
Micah Brown
Michael Aronson
Michael Gillespie
Miriam Mangini
Natali Lindenmeyer
Nathan Louie
Patricia Denn
Patricia Wells
Paul Lilly
Paula Manildi
Pilar Strutin-Belinoff
Prudence Ashley
R Michael Barnett
Raisa Gaines
Rebecca Posamentier
Rebecca Riseman
Richard Price
Rose Adams Kelly
Ruhi Kumar
Ruth Bernstein
Sadie Williams
Samantha Fine
Samia Rashed
Sandra Westall
Sarah Royce
Sarah Threlfall
Sarah Weld
Sean Alexis
Sheila Porter
SiriusXM
Stephen and Majorie Graham
Stephen Harrison
Steve Burke
Steven Mitchell
Stewart Florsheim
Susanna Gordon
Tarang Amin
Thekla Rura-Polley
Thomas Daniels
Tienne Lee
Tom McCleary
Tracey Silva
Turnitin LLC
Valerie Stoll Schwimmer
Valoria Wilcots
Verena Carol Rau
Wendy Struhl
* Recognizes donors who support Oakland Promise through multi-year commitments In-Kind Donors
Clear Channel Outdoors
NetScout
Queen Hippy Gypsy LLC
39 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Our Board
The Oakland Promise Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of leaders united by a shared commitment to equity, opportunity, and the success of Oakland’s youth. Their collective expertise spans education, philanthropy, law, business, and community development. Together, they help guide Oakland Promise’s mission forward, serving as stewards of accountability, vision, and progress along the cradle-to-career journey.
Guiding the Road Ahead
JAMES HARRISON*
Board Secretary | Partner, Olson
Remcho, LLP
JOEL MACKEY
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor,
Bay Area Community Resources
& Attorney at Law, Private Practice
DR. MICHAEL MCAFEE*
Board President | PolicyLink, CEO
SUSAN STUTZMAN*
Board Vice President | Former EBCF
Board President
ANNE CAMPBELL WASHINGTON
Senior Assistant Dean, UC Berkeley
Goldman School of Public Policy
BARBARA FREMDER
Founder, East Bay College Fund
CARL WASHINGTON
Strategic Partnerships Executive &
Business Development Leader
COLIN LACON
Director of Public Affairs, Kaiser
Permanente East Bay
SUSIE PONCELET
Former Board Secretary, East Bay College Fund
STEPHANIE ISAACSON
Senior Director of Community Relations,
The PG&E Corporation Foundation
SETH HAMALIAN*
Board Treasurer | Managing Principal,
Mission Bay Development Group
KIM THOMPSON*
PwC Principal, CEO Action for Racial
Equity
KYLA JOHNSON-TRAMMELL
Former Superintendent, Oakland Unified
School District
MARIA PIRNER
Teacher, Oakland Unified School District
ROBERT STARK*
Partner, Spencer Stuart
JODI BEASELY
Senior Director of Community at B Lab
*Executive Board Members
40 | OAKLAND PROMISE
The road to opportunity is one we build together. At
Oakland Promise, every step forward, every milestone
achieved is made possible by people like you. Your
generosity, time, and belief in what’s possible fuel the journey for thousands of young people across our city.
Together, we can put 50,000 Oakland youth on the path
to postsecondary attainment by 2030. Whether you
choose to donate, mentor, volunteer, or advocate, your
support becomes part of a collective movement that
transforms lives and strengthens the entire community.
When you join Oakland Promise, you’re not just
c
ontributing, you’re helping to pave the way for the
next generation. Your support ensures that every child
has the chance to dream, plan, and achieve a future
that’s truly theirs.
It takes all of us, families, partners, neighbors, and advocates - to power this pathway. Join the promise.
Walk with us. Together, we can keep Oakland moving
toward a brighter, more equitable future.
Walk the Path. Power the Future.
Join Our Promise
Learn more and get involved at
oaklandpromise.org/get-involved
41 | OAKLAND PROMISE
42 | OAKLAND PROMISE
Learn more and get involved at oaklandpromise.org/get-involved Stay connected with us. Follow Oakland Promise on social media to walk alongside our students on their cradle-to-career journey.
Contact Us