Acton Family Giving supports targeted initiatives and organizations we have a personal connection to. This is not discretionary giving, but a home for work, ideas, and efforts that further our commitment to community.
board
Brian Acton
Founder & Co-Chair
Ultimate frisbee player, former competitive speed cuber, and #1 Beatles fan. Executive chairman of Signal Foundation and co-founder of WhatsApp. Proud Stanford CS undergrad and engineering leader in Silicon Valley since the 90s. Previously worked at Adobe, Apple, and Yahoo. Brian is the Secretary and Treasurer of Sunlight Giving.
Tegan Acton
Founder & Co-Chair
World traveler, trail hiker, and pinball fanatic. Previously served as the Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives at Stanford, and has worked at Yahoo and the Sundance Institute. Studied Political Science at UCSB (go Gauchos!) and grew up in sunny San Luis Obispo. Tegan is the President of Sunlight Giving.
staff
Sepi Aghdaee
Program Officer
Adventurous eater, plant enthusiast, and loving dog mom. Previously worked in grantmaking and advisory roles in philanthropy on a wide variety of issues across the Bay Area and beyond at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, and San Francisco Foundation. Sepi focuses on Health Care Access, Food Security and Safe Spaces in Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.
Cedrick Andrews
Program Director
Breakfast aficionado, cycling enthusiast, and Sunday crossword puzzler. Social sector career involved stints working on economic security, education and youth development, and policy reform at organizations including Single Stop, Meritus, and the Institute for College Access & Success. Cedrick directs Sunlight Giving's strategy and grantmaking, and leads the program team.
Jessica Avendano
Program Officer
KonMari Method follower, HIIT and strength training devotee, and coffee lover. Previous work focused on women’s economic empowerment and governance at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and early childhood education at the 4Cs of San Mateo County. Jessica focuses on Family Support, Housing Stability, and Safe Spaces in Alameda, Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
Kelsey Leuchars
Grants Manager
Dog cuddler, dedicated thrift shopper, and tea aficionado. Previous work has included various operational roles at Reading Partners, a national nonprofit, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Kelsey focuses on grants-related administration and management for Sunlight Giving.
Ben Neveras
Program Officer
Tennis player, boxer, avid reader, and aspiring home chef. Previous work at Playworks, a national nonprofit, focused on bringing safe and healthy play to school and community partners across Northern California. Served in various roles ranging from AmeriCorps member to Executive Director. Ben focuses on Family Support and Housing Stability in Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.
Erin O'Donohue
Operations Director
Road tripper, cookbook collector, and perpetual student. Previously worked as a lawyer for youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems; later served in management roles for several nonprofits that support children and families. Erin focuses on operations, human resources, finance, and planning for Sunlight Giving as well as our sister entities, Acton Family Giving and Solidarity Giving.
Anitra Smith
Program Officer
Jazz lover, outdoor enthusiast, and avid traveler. Previous work focused on health care access and early childhood nutrition at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and performance improvement and population health initiatives in community health centers and public hospitals. Anitra focuses on Health Care Access, Food Security and Housing Stability in Alameda, Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
Sister Organizations
Sunlight Giving is part of the Wildcard Giving family and complements the work of our two sister organizations.
Solidarity Giving supports and defends America’s civic values by funding organizations that advance social justice, promote civic engagement, and serve threatened communities around the country.
