Biography

Kyson (ze/he) is an explorer of connections, a design thinker, and a gritty optimist in the face of challenges. As a dedicated philanthropy professional and social impact nerd, ze leads with optimism, pragmatism, and intention. Kyson’s diverse experiences in the social sector over the past decade—corporate social responsibility, volunteerism, board service, strategic partnerships, international development, collective giving, and philanthropy—all provide a unique perspective that converges fundraising best practices with forward-thinking, community-centered approaches. Ze has facilitated workshops and spoken at various fundraising and philanthropy conferences on the power of igniting the “everyday philanthropist.” Most recently, ze served as the Director of Development and Partnerships for Philanthropy Together, a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seed-funded venture catalyzing the global collective giving movement, a model of giving based on community and democratic philanthropy.

Ze brings over a decade of “in the trenches experience” having managed development and marketing teams at leading international and national nonprofits including myAgro, Village Enterprise, and the Taproot Foundation. Ze has a deep understanding of the fundraising ecosystem and enjoys working on complex development challenges, especially on a national scale. Having worked across startup and established nonprofit organizations, Kyson brings a highly adaptable and savvy mindset to each effort ze leads and partners on. Previously, ze was also Senior Director at CCS Fundraising, a consulting and management firm that partners with nonprofit organizations across a multitude of sectors on large-scale campaigns and transformative fundraising projects.

Zir personal philanthropy is channeled through Lacuna, a local queer AAPI giving circle that funds grassroots social justice organizations in California, and board service with zir alma mater and gymnastics team at UC Berkeley. As a Bay Area local, Kyson is passionate about building community in xučyun Ohlone land (Oakland) where ze resides with zir husband and two rescue pups.