Staff

Paul Di Donato (he/him/his) has been President and CEO of the Proteus Fund and Proteus Action League since 2016. For over thirty years, he has been a social justice activist, lobbyist, litigator, funder and nonprofit executive working across many progressive issues and movements.

At Proteus Fund, Paul oversees a wide range of dynamic programming—from Donor Collaboratives and Donor Advised Funds to Fiscally Sponsored Projects (FSPs)—aimed at organizing and partnering with foundations and individual donors while engaging in deep collaboration with local, state and national movement actors to advance equity, justice and an inclusive, representative democracy.

Under Paul’s leadership, Proteus has nearly doubled its annual grantmaking to approximately $23 million, with a primary focus on the local and state level. During this time, Proteus has also expanded its donor collaborative work to not only provide funds to organizations, but also to provide grantees and movements additional tools, capacities, and networks to enhance their overall effectiveness. Since 2016, Proteus has also doubled the number of FSPs to 15 while developing a model of tailored services and support to proactively incubate these critical social-justice initiatives. Today, Proteus is a $40-million progressive philanthropic organization supporting 33 funds and initiatives with a highly skilled and committed staff of over 75 individuals.

Prior to becoming President, Paul directed Proteus Fund’s Civil Marriage Collaborative (CMC) for eight years. The CMC was a groundbreaking donor collaborative that played a critical role in helping to win the freedom to marry in the United States in 2015. Under his leadership, the CMC created a space for committed donors, visionary activists and advocates, and talented allies from across many sectors to innovate and advance the most effective strategies. The CMC awarded over $20 million in grants and played a significant role in organizing other funders to dedicate more than $20 million in additional grantmaking.

Before the CMC, Paul worked in New York and San Francisco in a variety of capacities in pursuit of social justice. As a consultant, Paul worked on organizational and program development, strategic planning, evaluation, leadership coaching, and governance with a wide range of philanthropic, nonprofit, and academic clients. As Executive Director, he transformed Funders Concerned About AIDS into a leading international philanthropic actor in the response to the pandemic’s impact across the Global South while also advancing a variety of other initiatives to educate and mobilize U.S. grantmakers to address HIV/AIDS and its attendant issues of healthcare disparity, racism, sexism, and homophobia. As Federal Affairs Director and Public Policy Director at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Public Policy Director at the AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Paul provided key leadership on a wide range of national and California-specific HIV/AIDS legislative and related public policy victories. He also served as both Executive and Legal Director for National Gay Rights Advocates, one of the first national LGBTQ legal rights organizations. In private civil-rights practice, Paul litigated a wide range of cases from prison reform and employment discrimination to voting rights. After graduating law school, Paul was the first man to be named a Revson Women’s Law & Public Policy Fellow.

Paul graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Alison (she/her/hers) joined the RISE Together Fund (RTF) in 2020 as the Grant Writer. Prior to joining Proteus Fund, Alison was an educator and curriculum writer who facilitated anti-bias and other professional development workshops about Islam, Muslims, and Islamophobia. As the Outreach Coordinator at the Institute for Middle East Studies at The George Washington University, she designed teacher professional development workshops for K-12 teachers and advanced IMES’s funding portfolio. As the Director of the Challenge Islamophobia Project at Teaching for Change, Alison wrote a set of detailed lesson plans on anti-Muslim bias and discrimination, curated a website of free and downloadable resources, and shared the resources through professional development workshops with teachers, activists, religious leaders, and other nonprofit practitioners. Earlier in her career, Alison taught history and social justice in a residential abuse therapy program for teenage girls; English as a Foreign Language for adult learners; U.S., world, and Islamic history at a community college; and interreligious dialogue courses. She holds a BA in Race, Class, and Gender Studies and an MA in History.

“If all the trees on earth were pens and all the seas, with seven more seas besides, were ink, still God’s words would not run out.” Quran 31:27

Amardeep Singh (he/him/his) is a seasoned grassroots activist, attorney, organizational founder, and philanthropy professional. Amar came to Proteus from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) where he served as a senior program officer, issuing $11 million in grants to build the advocacy power of Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians—including successful efforts to repeal the Muslim Ban. Amar has overseen multi-year convenings and grantmaking to strengthen bonds among racial-justice organizations across the United States, and the distribution of nearly $6 million in grants to support youth activism in response to the murder of George Floyd. Prior to beginning his philanthropic work, Amar co-founded the Sikh Coalition in the wake of 9/11—now the largest Sikh civil-rights organization in the United States.

At the Sikh Coalition, Amar played a significant leadership role in several critical social-justice victories:
• Creating the first federal hate-crime tracking category for Sikhs, Hindus, and Arabs
• Ending the U.S. Army’s ban on turbaned Sikh soldiers and the NYPD’s ban on turbaned police officers
• Ensuring airport travel search rules for Sikh, Muslim, and other travelers respect their civil rights

Amar also served for four years on President Barack H. Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He has taught a course at Columbia University on law and ethnic identity. He has received a number of awards for his public-interest work and was recognized as a “Top Lawyer Under 40” by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Amar received his JD degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and his BA from Rutgers University.

Beery (she/her/hers) has extensive experience designing effective programs and operational infrastructure for organizations in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors. She joined Proteus Fund in August 2008 as the sole grants management staff and has stewarded that function through exponential growth with a focus on aligning processes and resources for maximum social impact and efficiency. During that time, she has overseen the award of more than $200 million in grants. As VP for Fiscal Sponsorship & Grants Management, Beery continues to oversee our grants management team and donor advised fund program, while also leading the growth and development of our fiscal sponsorship practice, creating the operational scaffolding and coordinating services for a dynamic ecosystem of progressive initiatives.


Beery started her career as the Baltimore City Immigrant Support & Outreach Coordinator in the Mayor’s Office of Community Investment. In this capacity, she piloted the City's immigrant outreach program and developed and instituted its language access policy. She also previously worked in the International Trade & Investment Office of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development and served as the Associate Editor of the University of Arizona’s Global Water News Watch.

Beery was a 2014-15 Community Fellow through the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. She has served on various boards and advisory committees, most recently the Steering Committee of PEAK Grantmaking’s New England Chapter and the Waltham Dual Language School Leadership Team.

She holds an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona, and a BA in International Relations and Cultural Anthropology from James Madison University in Virginia. She is a southern transplant to Massachusetts, and lives outside of Boston with her family.

Christine (she/her/hers) joined the Piper Fund in April of 2019 as grant writer. She has more than 20 years of experience in foundation and government grant writing for national and global advocacy organizations working on a range of issues, including biodiversity conservation, national security, and wilderness protection. Christine has worked as a foundation relations manager with the Wilderness Society, Conservation International, and the American Geophysical Union. Other experience includes working as a proposal/technical editor for engineering consulting firms. Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida, a top-ranked school in this field.

Ebony T Simpson (she/her) is the woman with the signature big smile and an even bigger level of commitment to diligence, efficiency, and creating a lasting impact. She is a Newark (NJ) Native, having served various non-profit organizations in a wide array of development roles. She has an extensive background in grant writing, individual fundraising, major gifts, and partnership management. She has raised over 6 million dollars throughout her career in support of vital community programs and initiatives.

Ebony is an alumnus of Kean University receiving her BA in English and an alum of Seton Hall University receiving her MA in Strategic Communication. She is a member of Delta Sigma Epsilon, Honor Society, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. She is an active sports mom often volunteering at her daughter’s school during the basketball season. She believes in service and being of service to others often volunteering at community human service organizations where she donates items and packs food boxes for community distribution.

George (he/him/his) has been at Proteus since 2017. Before Proteus Fund he was at Center for Human Development in Springfield, MA for seven years, where he served as an Accounting Manager, supporting payroll, budgets, and managing accounting functions like AP/AR. CHD provided direct care services to clients ranging from toddlers to senior citizens. Before CHD, he worked as accounting manager for insurance, construction and manufacturing companies.

George is on the Board of Arbors Gives Back Foundation, and has worked as a dedicated volunteer to Alzheimers Foundation of America and Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield. He has been fortunate to have some great mentors over the years that have helped in increasing his knowledge and understanding of Accounting procedures and best practices. George grew up in Western Massachusetts.

"If we do one random act of kindness daily, we just might set the world in the right direction." - Michael Kornfeld

James (he/him/his) joined Proteus in March of 2022. As Senior IT Associate James brings nearly a decade of experience working with Microsoft products and services to Proteus Fund's ongoing projects and IT directives. Prior to joining Proteus, James worked with organizations across industries such as education, construction, healthcare, and legal services, supporting hundreds of networks with often unique
sets of technology.

James started working in the field of Information Technology at the age of sixteen, working for a development firm in Miami Florida building luxury hotels.

After graduating high school with honors he went on to work in the IT department of the university he attended, before moving on to work for a local managed services provider. Email migrations, cyber-security threat analysis and remediation, network design, implementation and maintenance as well as specialized software support and help desk services are only a few of the responsibilities he was entrusted with. All the while maintaining a focus on providing those in need with white glove service. Working in the field James was also able to continue his education by attaining several industry leading certifications.

Jason (he/him/his) joined Proteus in March of 2017. As Director of Information Services he provides strategic vision and support to ensure that the technology needs of Proteus Fund, our staff and partners are met with the highest satisfaction. He is responsible for the direction of information systems including project management, stability, security and support of all technology services and systems for the organization. Prior to joining Proteus, Jason spent 16 years at Dr. Hauschka Skin Care where he started as a helpdesk tech and worked his way up to managing the Information Technology & Solutions department. Application development, database programming, E-Commerce systems, web development, training and user support are just a few of the things he handled. When he isn’t busy fixing computers or coaching hockey, you can usually find Jason trying to keep up with his two growing boys.

"If you are going to do something, do the best you can do. Don’t do less than that and don’t worry about how someone else might do it."

Jennifer (she/her/hers) joined Proteus in 2020. She has several years of human resources experience, spanning the full spectrum of HR functions. Over a career at both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, her work has included recruiting, HR administration, employee relations, performance management and training, and her specialty, employee benefits.

Her previous experience includes working as the HR Specialist for the Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association, specializing in employee health and wellness. In that role she was the subject-matter expert on all aspects of the benefit process as well as technical lead for internal HR systems. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

Jill (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in 2009, where she currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. She plays a key leadership role in implementing and monitoring strategies and processes across the organization. She works in partnership with the President, Chief Financial Officer and Board of Directors to guide, implement, and assess the organization’s overall strategy and operations. The areas in which she provides strategic vision and direction include human resources, information systems, grants management, fiscal sponsorship, and donor advised fund management services.

Previously, Jill held management roles within client services, public relations, and operations, where she created dynamic and strategic change in a variety of environments. Jill’s passion for strengthening the infrastructure of organizations that are committed to having a positive impact in the world, led to her leadership role in the development and execution of national philanthropic partnerships between mission aligned B Corps and non-profit organizations. This work helped spark the passion to focus her professional talents and energy towards creating a more just and equitable society.

Jill studied social work at Elms College and holds an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style." - Maya Angelou

Julia Reticker-Flynn (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in 2019 as the Program Officer for the Right to Protest with Piper Fund. She supports state groups defending protest rights and coordinates the Protect Dissent Network, a coalition of 20 national organizations united in defense of freedom of assembly. Prior to joining the Proteus Fund, Julia served as the Director of Youth Organizing & Mobilization at Advocates for Youth for nearly a decade where she oversaw a team of talented organizers, visionaries, and activists boldly championing young people’s sexual health and reproductive rights. She is deeply invested in driving campaigns that employ culture shift, policy advocacy, and grassroots mobilization to create change. During her time at Advocates she trained thousands of young people on grassroots organizing skills, mobilized tens of thousands to take action on federal policy initiatives, and launched one of the first national storytelling campaigns to destigmatize abortion. Julia served on the Board of Directors of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health for five years. She earned a Masters in Public Administration from George Washington’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

"We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers." - Bayard Rustin

Kathy Bonnifield (she/her/hers) is an accomplished, connected leader with 20 years of experience building the space for and power of justice-based collective action - across the United States and globally. Through her fundraising and grantmaking activities, Kathy has supported a diversity of groups, including those working on behalf of democratic institutions that secure and protect human rights: an independent judiciary operating beyond political interference and unencumbered access to fair elections.

As a Program Officer, Kathy works to unite groups across traditional divides to unleash the power of common purpose. In support of that mission, Kathy has spearheaded specialized trainings and shared-learning forums to expand the impact of individual organizations by drawing them into a larger community of advocates.

Kyrstin Thorson Rogers (she/her/hers) is the grants manager at Proteus Fund and brings over five years’ experience in grantmaking and nonprofit administrative and programmatic roles. She oversees the grantmaking for Proteus’ donor collaboratives, managed family foundation, and group and donor advised funds and partners with program staff and grantees in order to ensure a smooth process for all. Prior to joining Proteus, Kyrstin interned at the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Firelight Foundation while pursuing her master’s degree in international policy studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Kyrstin also holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and Middle Eastern and African studies from the University of San Francisco.

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu

Lauren (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in November 2017. In this role, she provides internal support to help staff fully realize organizational and programmatic success by providing consultation regarding organizational culture, compliance, strategic workforce planning, organizational development, employee relations and the overall administration of the HR function.
Lauren came to Proteus Fund with two decades of progressive HR experience in the for-profit sector, higher education and healthcare. She earned a master’s degree from Bay Path University and a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University.

"Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work, a future." - David Whyte

Leah Pryor-Lease (she/her/hers) is the Program Director of the Rights, Faith, and Democracy Fund at Proteus, where she leads efforts to support state-based cross-movement work to build a united front for LGBTQ and reproductive justice, and their allies in the faith community.

She began her professional life working for over a decade in the nonprofit and public sectors at organizations such as The Hetrick-Martin Institute, Harvard University, and the New York City Department of Education, where she oversaw a broad range of community partnership and external relationship work. After moving to Colorado, Leah served as the Strategic Partnerships Officer with the Gill Foundation, then as Program Officer with Voqal, a philanthropic fund dedicated to advancing equity for those who are the least well off politically, economically, and socially.

Leah holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. She lives in Denver with her family, where she serves on the Denver LGBTQ Commission and the boards of ProgressNow Colorado, New Era CO, and the Movement Advancement Project.

"You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." - Angela Davis

Marcus James Williams (he/him/his) is a proud product of the Springfield Public School System, having graduated from The High School of Commerce in 2007. To pursue a possible career in television broadcasting, Marcus chose to attend the New York Institute of Technology, where he completed his freshman year. In New York, he landed an AT&T commercial and was selected by "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner to play an extra in motion picture "New York, I Love You." Marcus’s educational pursuits trumped the fast-paced life of the city, and he transferred to Boston College, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 2012.

After returning home to Springfield, Marcus dove into the world of politics. He was employed by the Elizabeth Warren for MA Senate campaign then by President Obama’s former Chief of Medicare and Medicaid, Dr. Don Berwick, for his gubernatorial run in Massachusetts. In that election, Marcus coordinated the two Western Massachusetts counties that Dr. Berwick won.

Marcus has served as the Grants and Contracts Coordinator for the YWCA of Western MA and the Grant Writer for WayFinders, Inc. Marcus is serving his second term as a Springfield City Councilor.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Max (he/him/his) joined Proteus Fund in September 2020 after a year in Taiwan studying Mandarin Chinese on the HES Scholarship. In his role as Donor Services Associate, Max works closely with the Donors Services Manager and Finance team to manage our funding database and support the Donor Collaboratives, Donor Advised Funds, and Fiscally Sponsored Projects in all grant application, reporting, and income-related needs. Max graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in both Economics and China & Asia Pacific Studies. He has held internships and volunteer positions in economics research, entrepreneurship, immigrant justice, sustainable development, and translation and interpretation services. Along the way, he learned that the process of liberation is as personal as it is collective. He is thrilled to be supporting work that advances justice and equity, while cultivating and sharing internal freedom and well-being through teaching yoga and mindfulness.

“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” -Cornel West

M Harper Doherty (they/them/theirs) has a broad range of experience in non-profit and higher education administration, as well as business and management. After moving to the Pioneer Valley region in 1994, M worked with the Prison Book Project and other social justice organizations while earning an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. During a five-year stint in Thailand, they co-founded the Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation, a youth-focused educational charity organization. Locally, M served as an Assistant Dean in Student Affairs at Hampshire College, in development at Greenfield Community College, and in Finance at The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. They are also known in the Pioneer Valley as the former owner-operator of Popcorn Noir, a unique movie-theater/restaurant once featured on NPR’s Marketplace.

Outside of Proteus, M explores the ways in which humans employ performativity in everyday interactions in creating meaning and connecting with each other. They work to illuminate the importance of embodied expression relative to words or text, and the role such an approach may play in social justice and healing.

Monica Kim (she/her/hers) joined the Piper team in July as the program assistant. In this role, she is supporting the Piper team with a wide range of program support and administrative responsibilities. Monica graduated from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) in 2020 with a BA (honors) in English. She is a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society. During her time as an undergraduate, Monica served in leadership positions with two student organizations: Students for Reproductive Rights and Justice and the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program. Monica also previously worked as an intern for Liberate! Don’t Incarcerate, AsylumConnect, 826michigan, and National Immigration Forum.

Melissa Spatz (she/her/hers) is the director of the Piper Fund, leading Piper’s strategic work to build a healthy democracy that works for all. Melissa brings over 25 years of experience as a community organizer, nonprofit executive, grant maker, and attorney. Prior to joining Piper in 2012 (and assuming the director role in 2014), she directed two award-winning Chicago-based organizations, led national organizing campaigns through the National People’s Action network, and practiced law on behalf of low-income clients in Chicago. Her work has addressed a wide range of issues including democracy, media justice, housing rights, police accountability, health care, and gender justice. Melissa has founded and co-founded numerous projects and organizations, including the Columbia Journal of Gender & Law, the Women’s Rights Project at Human Rights Watch, the Chicago Freedom School, Chicago Youth United, and the Center for Emerging Leadership. A graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute’s year-long Selah program, she holds a BA from Swarthmore College and a JD from Columbia Law School.

Nia Malika Dixon is an award-winning filmmaker on a mission to amplify diverse stories from underrepresented communities authentically in Hollywood, especially the voices of Black Muslim women. With over 15 years in the film industry, the Baltimore native hones her craft as the founder of Audaz Entertainment, where she writes, directs and produces content for television, film and digital platforms, specifically highlighting stories representing Black Muslim women and girls.

In conjunction with Audaz Entertainment, Nia founded the #BlackMuslimGirlFly empowerment brand and the BMGFly Film Festival, an annual festival that not only provides platform for Black and Muslim film and episodic projects led by women, but also highlights their accomplishments with the Dixon-Harmon Trailblazer Award. The festival includes an international showing of all projects selected, live musical performances, and informational panels featuring filmmakers, executives, and social change makers.

Many of the stories Dixon helps to create are reflective of her life experiences, and although she isn’t a former drug dealer, she grew up in a community where they were participating members. A minority within a minority, Nia also lives with disability, and is the mother to adults with disabilities, and as a survivor of childhood sexual trauma uses the power of her testimony to fuel her work for members of the community like herself. Empathy is her driving force.

Patti (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in September 2018 as Controller. She manages the organization’s financial operations, ensures that financials are prepared and distributed to our funders and programs, and works closely with our Donor Collaboratives and Fiscally Sponsored Project partners to provide financial management support.

Prior to joining the Proteus team, Patti worked as Controller for Highland Valley Elder Services and has many years of financial management experience in hospitality, manufacturing, government and social services organizations. She holds a BS in Mathematics (magna cum laude) from Westfield State University and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts. Patti currently resides with her family in Sturbridge, Massachusetts where she was CEO of S.C.I. Management for many years and opened the Fieldstone Tavern, a local dining and entertainment venue. She is an avid traveler, musician, and sports enthusiast, enjoying volleyball, mountain biking and obstacle races. She has served on the Massachusetts Lodging Association Board of Directors, Sturbridge Finance Committee, TRSD Curriculum Committee and was instrumental in designing and lobbying local legislation for tourism funds. She is passionate about education, social justice and small business believing that change is only possible through education, diligence and collaboration.

“Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it” – John Maxwell

“I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

Rana Elmir joined Proteus as the Program Director for the RISE Together Fund having devoted her career to storytelling, action and activism.

For nearly 16 years, Rana was a member of the ACLU of Michigan’s senior leadership team starting as Communications Director, then Deputy Director and finally interim Executive Director. Working with a 35-member team, Rana led various equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts. She also guided legal, advocacy and media strategies and campaigns externally centered on the most pressing civil rights issues in Michigan including supporting BAMEMSA and immigrant communities, LGBTQ equality, criminal legal reform, reproductive freedom, and racial justice.


However, as a former newspaper reporter, Rana is a storyteller first and foremost. Some of her most compelling tales stem from the experiences of her immigrant family, who fled to the United States from Lebanon when Rana was still a small child. In addition, Rana often lectures often on issues related to anti-Muslim bias, the importance of free speech and the intersection of race, faith, gender and LGBTQ rights.

While her serious side is frequently on display, she’s also an indefatigable nerd and recovering introvert who enjoys spending her free time going on birding expeditions, watching Jeopardy, and telling jokes so corny they can provoke eye rolls from just about everyone who has progressed beyond the 4th grade. Rana is a graduate of Wayne State University’s Journalism School and the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. She currently serves on the Board Executive Committee of ACCESS, the nation’s largest Arab American community non-profit.

Ryan Chavez joined Proteus Fund as Chief Financial Officer in 2019. His career spans across organizations at various stages of growth, from small grassroots organizations to more established ones. As Managing Director of Finance and Administration at Drug Policy Alliance and its 501(c)(4) sister organization, Drug Policy Action, he managed the organization’s growth from an annual operating budget of $9 million to over $20 million.

Ryan he/him/his) has experience working with people in broad and diverse communities on issues of racial and social justice, from working with AIDS service organizations, to developing supportive housing programs, to serving as Chief Operating Officer of a national advocacy organization. Ryan has also served in a variety of volunteer non-profit board rules, including as Board Treasurer of the Paul Rapoport Foundation.

Saquoia Cox (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in October 2019 as a Staff Accountant. Among other duties, she coordinates payroll to ensure compliance with state and federal wage laws, assists with month and annual closing and reconciliations, and assists with financial reporting and budgeting. Prior to joining the Proteus team, Saquoia worked for other non-profit organizations based in Western Massachusetts, including Highland Valley Elder Services and Center for Human Development. She holds a BS in Accounting and two Masters’ degrees from Bath Path University. She’s very passionate about being a lifetime learner, traveler, and helper.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."- John Quincy Adams

Sara Muller-Ravett (she/her/hers) is the Contract & Sponsored Projects Senior Associate at Proteus Fund and brings over 15 years of project management, program evaluation and operations oversight to the organization. Sara oversees grants and contracts management for Proteus' fiscally sponsored projects. Prior to joining Proteus, Sara worked for 11 years at MDRC, a social policy research organization based in New York City, specializing in the implementation of rigorous evaluation design, management and evaluations of prisoner reentry programs across the United States. Sara holds a bachelors degree in juvenile justice and sociology from Hampshire College and is a 2000 graduate of City Year Philadelphia.

"I see people give away what money cannot buy: a grace, a kindness, an authentic connection and recognition of shared humanity. These are my heroes. They demonstrate the use and value of dignity, wholeheartedness and generosity." - Rebecca Solnit

"Touch magic, and pass it on." - Jane Yolen

Sheila (she/her/hers) joined the Proteus Fund team in February 2018. Before joining RISE Together Fund, Sheila served as Program Director at California Bar Foundation, where she launched a statewide Legal Fellowship program which helped to build capacity for legal aid while generating career entry points for law students and attorneys of diverse backgrounds. In addition, Sheila is an author and freelance writer focusing on social movements and economic justice. Her first book, "Part of the Family: Nannies, Housekeepers, Caregivers, and the Battle for Domestic Workers’ Rights," was published by Ig Publishing in June 2014. Sheila received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A. from the University of Arizona.

"Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Tiffany joined Proteus Fund in 2022 as a Program Officer for Piper Fund. She has worked for over a decade on all sides of campaign and movement building work, centering racial justice at each stage. During her time at Moxie Media, Tiffany was a lead consultant for Washington Won’t Discriminate and the Transform Washington narratives project which resulted in successfully defeating multiple anti-transgender ballot efforts. As a co-founder of Inclusive Solutions, an equity policy and campaign strategy firm, Tiffany provided strategic direction to Front and Centered, a statewide coalition of 60+ community of color-led organizations working on environmental justice. While there, Tiffany created an iterative community engagement model to inform policy development centering those overburdened by pollution and climate change. This resulted in the passage of the HEAL Act which commits state agencies to environmental justice practices. Most recently, Tiffany was the Political Director to Progress Alliance, where she provided political analysis, identified key strategic opportunities to align donors and provided technical and capacity support to grantees.

“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
― Lilla Watson

Yasmine (she/her/hers) joined Proteus Fund in 2020 as the Grants & Operations Associate. In this role, she supports the grants management team in addition to Proteus’ various grantmaking programs and operations. Prior to joining Proteus, Yasmine spent several years working for nonprofit and public agencies which included engaging in direct human services work and focusing on issues such as housing and economic justice. She was introduced to grantmaking by working in partnership with local nonprofits to create program evaluations and grant proposals. She recently co-authored “Circassians”, a chapter for the academic publication, “The Palgrave Handbook of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”. Yasmine holds a Master of Arts in Community Development & Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.