Cathy Cha
Cathy Cha is President and CEO of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Under her leadership, the Fund is exploring innovative approaches to advancing equality and justice so every person has opportunities to thrive and to live life with dignity and hope. Cathy’s work is driven by a career-long commitment to improving the lives of aspiring communities facing discrimination and poverty. Her collaborative approach with funders, movements, nonprofits, and government has helped spark wide-ranging social impact, including California’s rise to the top among states in advancing pro-immigrant policies. Today, the Haas, Jr. Fund focuses on building a fairer, more representative democracy in California; advancing more humane approaches to immigration and expanding opportunities for immigrant youth and families; and making higher education more affordable for lower-income California students. Cathy received the Outstanding Foundation Professional award on Philanthropy Day 2021 and was named one of the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times in 2019.