The Haas Center for Public Service is pleased to present the 2023 Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor, Dr. Robert K. Ross, CEO of The California Endowment, in conversation with Nicole Taylor, CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. They will both be joined by Marc Philpart, executive director of the California Black Freedom Fund, toward the end of the program. The event will conclude with Q&A from the audience and a short reception.

Robert K. Ross, MD, is president and chief executive officer for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 to address the health needs of Californians. He has an extensive background in health philanthropy, as a public health administrator, and as a clinician. His service includes: commissioner at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health; medical director for LINK School-Based Clinic Program in Camden, NJ; instructor of clinical medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and faculty member at San Diego State University’s School of Public Health. During his tenure as president and CEO at The California Endowment, Dr. Ross has provided leadership in supporting the vision of underserved communities and grassroots leaders for a healthier California and a healthier America. Dr. Ross received his undergraduate, masters in public administration, and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Nicole Taylor is president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). Since taking the helm at SVCF, Nicole has led the organization to renew its focus on the many challenges facing residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Her work in academia began with a career as an educator in Oakland public schools and has since included appointments as vice president of the ASU Foundation, deputy vice president and dean of students at Arizona State University, and associate vice provost of student affairs and dean of community engagement and diversity at Stanford University. She has also served as president and CEO of Thrive Foundation for Youth in Silicon Valley and the East Bay Community Foundation. Nicole received both her master's degree in education and bachelor's degree in human biology from Stanford University.

Marc Philpart is the executive director of the California Black Freedom Fund, bringing more than a decade of leadership in advocacy working with grassroots organizations to build power for racial justice. Marc also led the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, successfully advancing more than 100 state policies and broadening the group's focus to include fighting for gender justice and ending intimate partner violence. Marc has deep campaign and policy expertise across a wide array of issues, including public health and violence prevention, police and prison abolition, education, the criminalization of youth, economic equity and poverty eradication, and voting and civic engagement.

Register to attend in person for the opportunity to participate in the Q&A and meet the speakers at the reception afterwards.

Join the livestream if you would like to attend virtually.