Our Core
Values

Dr. River Sturdivant is a seasoned philanthropic executive with over 25 years of global leadership experience. As Executive Director of the Arthur Dean Family Foundation, she brings a people-centered and equity-informed approach to strategy and grantmaking. Her career includes senior roles at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, cultural institutions, and universities, along with extensive international work across 30 countries. With a doctorate in Adult Learning and Development, River blends strategic insight, holistic leadership, and deep experience in capacity building—making her a trusted voice in sector transformation.

Edgar Villanueva is the Principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Founder of Liberated Capital, a fund rooted in a reparative giving model that centers BIPOC leadership. He is a nationally recognized author and strategist who advises foundations, nonprofits, and corporations on racial equity and social finance. Edgar is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and holds degrees in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill.

Miles Sandler is a nationally respected leader in policy, engagement, and systems change. As Director at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, she drives initiatives that strengthen civic infrastructure and support inclusive community development. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit and philanthropic management, Miles brings deep expertise in education policy, technical assistance, and cross-sector collaboration. She has a proven track record of aligning stakeholders and translating strategy into impact. Her leadership and commitment to equity make her an invaluable voice in shaping the future of inclusive philanthropy.

Jeremy Grunin is President of the Grunin Foundation, a relational grantmaker committed to advancing equity, justice, and community vibrancy across the Central Jersey Shore. Under his leadership, the Foundation has expanded its governance to include non-family board members—reflecting Jeremy’s deep belief in inclusive leadership and shared decision-making. He has championed a holistic approach to philanthropy that combines funding, capacity building, and coalition building to support systems change. Jeremy is also a Partner at Grunin Holdings, LLC, and brings over 15 years of executive experience in the private sector, where he led teams managing over $500 million in revenue.

Karen is a visionary strategist and trusted advisor to executive leaders, with a proven track record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across global organizations. With leadership roles at Warner Brothers Discovery and NBCUniversal, she has pioneered industry-defining DEIA strategies and served as a key voice in executive talent development and organizational transformation. Karen brings deep expertise in workforce strategy, inclusive leadership, and philanthropic engagement. Known for blending creative vision with strategic execution, she is passionate about mentoring high-potential talent and building cultures rooted in empathy, equity, and impact.

Former Executive Director of New Pluralists Collaborative, Uma brings over 15 years of experience leading, advising, and resourcing efforts that strengthen racial equity, collective leadership, and civic healing. Prior to joining the Fels Fund, she held program officer roles at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and directed leadership development initiatives at Urban Habitat and Nouvelle Vie Haiti. Uma is a certified meditation and breathwork instructor and holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in the History of Science from Harvard University.

Tomas Alvarez III is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur, Ashoka Fellow, and former CNN Hero with a proven track record of launching and scaling initiatives that center racial justice and systems transformation. Currently pursuing his doctorate at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Tomas focuses his research on race-based funding disparities and systems change in philanthropy. He severs as President & CEO of Collaboration for Talent, Inc., where he leads efforts to bridge diverse talent with opportunity for social good.

As the catalyst behind Future Funders, Tomas brings deep lived experience, thought leadership, and a bold vision for a more inclusive philanthropic future.

Seema Thakker is a strategist and creative leader working at the intersection of power, narrative, and social change. She has built and advised brands, campaigns, and organizations that leverage storytelling to advance equity and collective impact. Her early career in media included work at ABC Studios, followed by producing national campaigns for Google that spotlighted small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as a star-studded televised special hosted by Viola Davis that invited Americans to reimagine public education.

Seema has also designed and managed a personal family office and its arts and culture fund, developing equity-centered strategies that support activists and artists while prioritizing sustainability and care. Her work reflects a deep commitment to aligning resources, culture, and systems in service of long-term change. Based in Oakland, California, Seema brings a global perspective shaped by living and working across the U.S. and India, and is an essential voice in reimagining how capital, culture, and leadership intersect.