#United States #Los Angeles #Philanthropy #Community Impact #Liberty Hill Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation Expands Executive Leadership for Community Impact

As Liberty Hill Foundation celebrates its milestone of 50 years, it has made a strategic move by expanding its executive leadership team. This crucial expansion aims to reinforce the organization’s infrastructure and its mission to support grassroots organizing throughout LA County, particularly as the community faces increasing social and environmental challenges.

New Appointments to the Leadership Team

The foundation has appointed Manal J. Aboelata as Chief Program Officer, Nisha Randhava as Chief Advancement Officer, and Corey Matthews as Chief Strategy Officer. Each of these roles is instrumental in guiding the foundation’s initiatives in philanthropy and community engagement during a time marked by overlapping crises such as climate disasters and threats to democratic processes. The increasing need for strong community-based infrastructure prompted this expansion of their leadership team.

Shane Murphy Goldsmith, the President and CEO, emphasized that the landscape of philanthropy must adapt to address these challenges. As she stated, "Building people-powered change at the scale our communities need demands strategic partnerships across movements, alignment across funders, and long-term investments in community-rooted leadership and policy change."

Focus on Programmatic and Movement Strengthening

In the newly minted role of Chief Program Officer, Aboelata will guide the Movement Infrastructure Department, focusing on grantmaking, collaborative capacity-building, and forging government partnerships. Her expertise encompasses over 20 years in health equity and racial justice, having previously served as Managing Director at The California Endowment. Here, she was instrumental in launching initiatives aimed at inclusive community development and supporting community-driven grantmaking throughout Los Angeles. Moreover, her leadership portfolio will include overseeing key programs such as the Wally Marks Leadership Institute, the Fund for Change, the Ready to Rise initiative, and Stay Housed LA.

Enhancing Philanthropic Engagement

Taking on the responsibility of Chief Advancement Officer, Randhava will spearhead efforts to enhance Liberty Hill's fundraising capabilities. Her work will encompass engaging individual donors, organizing fundraising events, and fostering relationships that align philanthropy with social justice outcomes. Previously, Randhava held senior fundraising roles with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the ACLU of Southern California, where she honed her skills in connecting philanthropic investments to meaningful, movement-driven change.

Coordination and Strategy Alignment

Corey Matthews’s role as Chief Strategy Officer marks a new chapter for the foundation, as it aims for deeper integration across its various strategies. This position is crucial in promoting collaboration with civic, academic, and business sectors, reinforcing the foundation's advocacy for social change. Before joining Liberty Hill, Matthews was the Vice President of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, where he designed impactful grant-making strategies. His previous experiences also include leadership roles at Community Coalition and LeadersUp, emphasizing engagement with government and developing community-responsive programs.

Looking Ahead: The Next 50 Years

As Liberty Hill Foundation commemorates its golden anniversary, these leadership advancements represent not merely an organizational investment, but a broader commitment to shaping a progressive, socially just philanthropy landscape in Los Angeles. The organization intends to enhance its mission to empower grassroots communities, enrich movement infrastructures, and ensure equitable distribution of resources necessary for community resilience

The Liberty Hill Foundation is dedicated to leveraging the influence of grassroots organizers, donor activists, and collaborative allies to promote social justice through strategic investments in grants and community initiatives. Their vision encompasses a society where everyone possesses a robust voice, effectively advocating for those marginalized due to race, gender, sexual orientation, geography, or socioeconomic status. As the foundation continues its pivotal work, it stands firm in the belief that equality and justice must be attainable for all individuals.

About Liberty Hill Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation serves as a platform for social change philanthropy, investing in grants, leadership programs, and campaigns that prioritize community voice and needs. By uniting social justice advocates, the foundation strives to dismantle barriers faced by underrepresented populations, cultivating an environment where equality thrives.