We are proud to honor Cathy Cha, a visionary philanthropic leader and steadfast advocate for racial justice and solidarity, whose work has helped reshape how institutions partner with communities to advance equity and opportunity.
Cathy served as president and CEO of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund for seven years, after 15 years as a program officer, before joining the Freedom Together Foundation recently as a senior fellow. Her collaboration-focused 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. Known for her commitment to racial solidarity, Cathy has developed innovative models to support undocumented students, strengthen Black power building, and mobilize AAPI civic engagement. Cathy is driven by a career-long commitment to improving the lives of aspiring communities facing poverty and injustice. She has a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of California, Berkeley.