Ash McNeely: A Visionary Philanthropy Executive Driving Social Change
When it comes to shaping the future of philanthropy in Silicon Valley and beyond, few names carry as much weight as Ash McNeely. With over two decades of leadership in nonprofit strategy, foundation management, and donor engagement, she has played a central role in advancing equity, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.
Her career spans across some of the most respected philanthropic institutions, including Pacific Foundation Services, Sand Hill Foundation, Skyline Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Guided by her strong educational foundation and a deep commitment to social justice, McNeely continues to influence how family foundations and nonprofits collaborate to make a lasting impact.
This article explores her professional journey, educational background, and the remarkable contributions she has made to the philanthropic sector.
Early Life and Education
Academic Excellence at Vassar College
Ash McNeely graduated summa cum laude from Vassar College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English and Women’s Studies. At Vassar, she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a testament to her academic distinction and intellectual curiosity. She also broadened her worldview through a semester abroad in Kenya, an experience that shaped her perspective on global development and equity.
MBA in Nonprofit Administration
To complement her liberal arts background, McNeely pursued an MBA in Nonprofit Administration at Golden Gate University. This advanced training equipped her with essential knowledge in nonprofit management, finance, compliance, and leadership—skills that would later help her guide complex philanthropic organizations through growth, transitions, and impact-driven strategies.
Her educational path reflects a blend of social awareness, academic rigor, and practical nonprofit management skills, laying the foundation for her influential career.
Pacific Foundation Services
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Since 2012, Ash McNeely has served as a Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Pacific Foundation Services (PFS). In this role, she provides grantmaking and management services to family foundations, ensuring their philanthropic goals are translated into impactful strategies.
Her responsibilities include:
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Designing giving strategies that reflect the values and missions of family foundations.
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Leading program initiatives that target systemic challenges such as housing insecurity, climate change, and education equity.
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Encouraging funder collaboration to leverage shared resources and amplify results.
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Supporting capacity building and evaluation to strengthen nonprofit partners.
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Driving impact investing, aligning financial portfolios with social and environmental outcomes.
At PFS, McNeely has become a trusted advisor who bridges the gap between philanthropic vision and measurable community results.
Sand Hill Foundation
Executive Director Since 2007
As Executive Director of the Sand Hill Foundation since 2007, Ash McNeely leads one of Silicon Valley’s most respected family foundations. The foundation focuses on economic and educational opportunity, housing security, mental health, environmental sustainability, and climate change adaptation.
Her leadership at Sand Hill reflects a holistic approach to community well-being, particularly in the Bay Area. By focusing on both social and environmental priorities, she ensures that grantmaking addresses not only immediate community needs but also long-term resilience.
Key Contributions at Sand Hill Foundation
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Strengthening local nonprofits that serve vulnerable populations.
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Promoting mental health initiatives for youth and families.
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Funding programs that ensure access to nature and open spaces.
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Supporting climate change adaptation projects that prepare communities for future challenges.
McNeely’s stewardship has made the Sand Hill Foundation a catalyst for systemic, sustainable change.
Skyline Foundation
Managing Director for Over a Decade
From 2012 to 2023, McNeely served as Managing Director at the Skyline Foundation (formerly Yellow Chair Foundation). In this capacity, she directed philanthropic investments in critical areas such as civil liberties, journalism, clean energy, pollution abatement, maternal health, equity in education, and the arts.
Advocacy for Social Justice
At Skyline, she played a central role in advocating for social justice causes, reinforcing the foundation’s mission to protect democratic values and empower marginalized communities. Her ability to balance grantmaking strategy with values-based leadership distinguished her as a national leader in philanthropic management.
Women’s Foundation of California
Policy and Advocacy Leadership
In 2019, Ash McNeely completed the Philanthropy & Public Policy Institute with the Women’s Foundation of California. This specialized training focused on feminist policy leadership and equipping philanthropic leaders with tools to engage effectively in advocacy at the state and local levels.
This experience strengthened McNeely’s ability to connect philanthropy with public policy, ensuring that foundation dollars align with systemic reforms and long-lasting social change.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Senior Consultant and Leadership Roles
McNeely has also contributed significantly to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF), one of the largest community foundations in the United States. Her roles included:
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Vice President of Donor Engagement (2007): Helped establish a donor services team following the merger of Peninsula Community Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley.
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Senior Consultant (2019): Supported the CEO during a time of strategic realignment, advising on donor engagement, community impact, and organizational direction.
Peninsula Community Foundation
Prior to the merger, she spent seven years at the Peninsula Community Foundation, where she served as Vice President of Philanthropic Services. There, she managed donor-advised funds, fundraising campaigns, and marketing efforts that shaped philanthropic giving across Silicon Valley.
The Pew Charitable Trusts
From 2008 to 2012, Ash McNeely served as Senior Officer in the Philanthropic Partnership Group at The Pew Charitable Trusts. In this role, she facilitated partnerships with philanthropists and private foundations across the western United States, with a particular emphasis on environmental policy.
Her work at Pew reflects her long-standing commitment to sustainability and her ability to align philanthropy with pressing environmental challenges.
Skills and Specialties
Strategic Philanthropy and Grantmaking
McNeely’s expertise spans across multiple dimensions of philanthropic management:
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Philanthropic consultation for foundations and individual donors.
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Grantmaking strategies that drive measurable community outcomes.
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Private foundation services with compliance and tax expertise.
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Donor-advised fund management that supports personalized giving.
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Funder collaboration and learning forums, particularly across the western U.S.
Certified Advisor
In 2024, she became a 21/64 Certified Advisor, further deepening her skills in multigenerational family philanthropy, governance, and legacy planning.
Legacy and Impact
Collaborative Leadership
One of McNeely’s hallmarks is her emphasis on collaboration. Whether through funder collaboratives, cross-sector partnerships, or community coalitions, she champions the idea that philanthropic resources are most powerful when pooled together for common goals.
Advancing Equity and Sustainability
Across her career, she has consistently advanced programs that bridge economic opportunity, social justice, and environmental sustainability. By addressing these interconnected challenges, she positions philanthropy as a driver of systemic change rather than short-term relief.
Conclusion
Ash McNeely stands as a leader whose career reflects a unique blend of strategic vision, compassion, and commitment to justice. From her early roles at community foundations to her current leadership at Pacific Foundation Services and the Sand Hill Foundation, she has consistently guided philanthropic organizations toward greater impact.
Her dedication to education, equity, environmental sustainability, and social justice makes her one of the most respected philanthropic executives in the United States. As foundations and nonprofits continue to navigate complex challenges, McNeely’s influence ensures that philanthropy remains responsive, collaborative, and transformative.
