Sandy Nathan is the Managing Director, Operations at Humanity United. In this role, Sandy leads the operations teams across the organization and helps ensure that our leadership, infrastructure, policies, and culture are aligned with our values and help deliver on our mission.
Sandy has extensive executive leadership experience in philanthropy, government and the nonprofit sector. Prior to HU, she has served as Principal and CEO for Apodictic Consultants, which provides strategic consulting and transitional leadership to philanthropy, nonprofits and government. Previously, she was the Interim Executive Director for the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice in NYC where she provided strategic and operational leadership for the foundation through its leadership transition. She has also served as Interim Executive Director of Philanthropy Southwest, the oldest philanthropy serving organization in the country, with member foundations from over six states. Sandy has provided transitional and strategic leadership that enables organizations to successfully prepare for their next level of growth and reinvention.
Prior to moving into transitional leadership, Sandy had several stints as a senior leader in community foundations. Most recently, she was at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona in Tucson as Senior Vice President of Philanthropic and Community Services. In this role she was the chief strategist for foundation’s grantmaking, community investment opportunities and led in the use of diverse capital streams including equity and debt. She also oversaw the work of CFSA’s affiliated partner organizations, including the African American Initiative, the Alliance (LGBTQ) Fund, the Latino Giving Circle, and the Santa Cruz Community Foundation.
Sandy served in a similar role as Vice President of Grants and Loans at the Marin Community Foundation. Her earlier experience in philanthropy included her role as Chief Executive Officer for the Richmond Children’s Foundation, where she oversaw place-based initiatives, and led the organization through a process of conversion to a community foundation.
Her background also includes executive leadership in nonprofits at the national and local levels, including the National Council on Aging, AARP, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Her public sector career highlights include Department Head for the City of Oakland, and City and County of San Francisco. She also served as Deputy County Executive for Santa Clara County where she oversaw criminal justice, public safety and social services functions for the county.
With a passion for giving back and playing a critical role in social justice issues for which she has deep passion and commitment, Sandy serves on the Board of Directors of Northern California Grantmakers, UC Berkeley Pacific School of Religion, and Equality Arizona.
Sandy has a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of San Diego, a master of arts in public administration from National University, and a doctor of philosophy in theology and Christian education. She also holds a certificate in nonprofit management from the Harvard Business School.