FRANCESCA GONZALEZ

Executive Director

Since 2006 Francesca has strengthened, supported and transformed a wide range of Bay Area organizations by breaking down structures of racial and gender inequities, and co-creating environments rooted in social impact and community empowerment. Powered by her passion for advocacy and equity, she started her nonprofit career from the ground up as a volunteer to become an executive leader specializing in operations and programs. Her hands-on experience has given her in-depth knowledge in building, sustaining, and expanding dozens of programs ranging from community-based to national models of service; as well as a keen understanding of operationalizing organizational strategy and vision.

Francesca’s advocacy journey began in her childhood as a foster youth; when at 15 years of age she stood before the senate in Washington DC and advocated for foster youth rights. Since then, she has continued that journey by working with a range of Bay Area mission-driven organizations building trauma-informed programs in the areas of youth development, achievement gap, early childhood education, food justice, LGBTQ+, transitional aged-youth, senior care, and workforce development.

Some of Francesca's notable career contributions include operationalizing regional growth and expansion in support of a three-year strategic plan of a leading workforce agency, developing an Academic Case Management curriculum for at-risk high school students city-wide; introducing Power Scholars Academy to the San Francisco Unified School District; creating a Youth Workforce Readiness framework; launching the nation's first LGBTQ+ community based Adult Day Program; as well as contributing to over $10M in fundraising efforts including co-writing 11 multi-year, government contracts and special event production, coordination, and management.

Francesca currently lives in Daly City with her two beautiful children and her cat. When she is not working, Francesca enjoys the beach, hiking, yoga, gardening and live music.