IDEA Fellowship

Creating Pathways for Emerging Fundraising Leaders

The AFPSV IDEA Fellowship supports fundraising professionals from historically excluded communities through mentorship, professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities.

Why This Program Exists

Expanding Access and Representation in Fundraising

While Silicon Valley is one of the most diverse regions in the country, barriers to professional development, networking access, and leadership pathways continue to affect many emerging fundraising professionals.

The IDEA Fellowship was created to help build a more inclusive fundraising community by supporting professionals from historically excluded communities as they grow their careers, strengthen nonprofit impact, and become future leaders within philanthropy.

AFP IDEA Champion

AFP Silicon Valley has maintained AFP Global’s IDEA Champion designation since 2008 in recognition of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

The IDEA Fellowship represents one of the chapter’s key investments in creating a stronger, more representative future for fundraising leadership.

Our Commitment

Diversity Statement

AFP Silicon Valley is committed to fostering a fundraising community that values inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Learn more about the chapter’s guiding principles and commitment to building a more representative and welcoming profession.

View Diversity Statement

Fellowship Benefits

Fellows receive access to educational experiences, mentorship, leadership development, and professional community connections throughout the year-long program.

AFP Membership

One year of AFP membership with access to AFP Global resources and chapter benefits.

Educational Programs

Access to chapter luncheons, workshops, Fundraising Academy, and learning opportunities.

Mentorship

Opportunities to connect with experienced fundraising professionals and leaders.

Networking

Build meaningful professional relationships within the nonprofit and philanthropic community.

Leadership Development

Explore future leadership opportunities within AFPSV and the fundraising profession.

Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day

Attend one of Silicon Valley’s premier celebrations of philanthropy and community impact.

Meet Our 2026 IDEA Fellows

Meet the 2026 AFP Silicon Valley IDEA Fellows, a cohort of emerging fundraising and nonprofit leaders whose experiences, perspectives, and commitment to service help strengthen the future of philanthropy.

Arturo Muñoz

Communications & External Relations Manager, Latino Education Advancement Foundation

Arturo Muñoz is a fundraising and communications professional with over eight years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations. As the Communications and External Relations Manager at the Latino Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF), he works closely with development efforts to strengthen donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and mission visibility through thoughtful narrative strategy. Arturo is also the founder of Barrio Voices, a communications business that helps organizations build trust and sustain impact through culturally grounded storytelling. At the core of his work is a commitment to advancing effective, community-centered fundraising and contributing to a more inclusive philanthropic sector.

Abby Walsh

Director of Education & Community, CreaTV San Jose

Abby is a lifelong learner with multiple degrees in the humanities and social sciences. She finished her doctorate at UC Santa Cruz where she focused on the impact and importance of media representation and diverse storytelling on children’s lives. Abby decided to step away from academia, with the goal of making a more direct impact on local communities through nonprofit work. Her current work includes overseeing the educational programming, arts and culture programing, grant writing and foundation work at CreaTV. When not using her powers for the forces of good, Abby can be found hiking, doing yoga, baking scrumptious treats for friends and family, or all-around general toddler wrangling.

Jennifer R. Harrington

Founder, CorecTel

Jennifer R. Harrington is a transformational healthcare and nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience across hospitals, public health, and mission-driven organizations. Beginning her career as a respiratory therapist, she developed a deep understanding of how social and environmental conditions shape health outcomes, which continues to inform her equity-centered leadership approach.

Most recently, Jennifer served as Executive Director of the San Francisco Public Health Foundation, where she led a major fiscal turnaround, modernized financial systems, strengthened audit readiness, and expanded government partnerships supporting behavioral health, LGBTQ+ health equity, workforce development, and other community initiatives. She previously held senior leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and MarinHealth, managing large-scale operations, navigating complex healthcare systems, and leading crisis response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jennifer also serves as faculty at California State University, East Bay, teaching healthcare finance, public health systems, emergency preparedness, and strategic leadership. Her experience in operations, finance, governance, and equity-focused leadership brings valuable perspective to organizations working at the intersection of healthcare, public health, and social impact.

Jasmine Espinoza

Development Coordinator, Marine Science Institute

Development Coordinator and Marine Science Educator with a strong background in marine biology and hands-on experience in research, data collection, and public education. Skilled in handling live marine organisms, assisting with field research, and analyzing marine wildlife populations, including Northern Elephant seals. Proficient in logistics, data entry, and providing educational outreach to diverse audiences, with a strong commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship

Camille Valerio

Senior Program Manager & Designer, LEAD Filipino

As the Senior Program Manager & Designer at LEAD Filipino, Camille (she/her/siya) is pivotal in leading program implementation, community outreach, and brand development. She is instrumental in growing the organization’s social media presence and producing impactful leadership programs that foster civic engagement within the Filipina/x/o American and broader Asian American Pacific Islander communities. With a strong background in community organizing, information systems, and design, Camille excels in managing complex projects and driving strategic initiatives. She is responsible for overseeing program logistics, developing marketing strategies, and ensuring the successful execution of events and campaigns.

Beyond her role at LEAD Filipino, Camille serves on the New Leaders Council of Silicon Valley nonprofit board as the Recruitment & Selections Chair and a proud co-founding member of the Filipino Alumni Network at San José State University.

Emily G. Esparza

Board Member, Latina Coalition Silicon Valley

Emily is a first-generation graduate, native to Silicon Valley and enjoys citizenry engagement, life-long learning, the arts, and advocacy of those historically vulnerable to build a stronger and more empowered integral society.

Emily is a 2023 Fellow for Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), Silicon Valley Foundations Hispanic Board Leadership Academy and Whole Person Center Mindfulness for Professionals (Español).

She is a volunteer for SCCC LGBTQ+ Committee, Project Citizen, and Sacred Heart Community Service events.

A few of her highlights include her recent appointment to The City of San Jose’s Measure T Oversight Committee, National’s Hokstad/Wilcox Spirit Award, NAACP Innovation Education Award, and Ericsson’s Global Impact Award.

Emily most recently served as Vice President of Culture and Community Engagement at National University and inaugural Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Office of Social Justice, appointed by the Board of Trustees.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Foreign Languages from San Jose State University. She most recently started her Masters in the History of Consciousness and Transformational Leadership.

Josh Raymundo

Manager of Annual Giving, Teach for America

My name is Josh Raymundo — I currently work as the Manager of Annual Giving at Teach For America — a national nonprofit focused on educational equity. As a recent graduate from Santa Clara University (SCU) in 2022, I have a vested passion in community work and civic engagement. At SCU, I served as the Director of the Multicultural Center and the President of Barkada, the University’s Filipino-American organization. I’m deeply passionate about empowering AAPI Folks through advocacy and community-building, and eventually hope to work in the public sector. Prior to my current role, I’ve worked in various capacities at local Bay Area nonprofits, including marketing & communications, fundraising operations, and event management. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering with LEAD Filipino, playing pickleball, and hanging out with my cat.

Serena Ramirez

Development Associate, Pivotal

I am a Master of Public Administration graduate student at Northeastern University and a recent UC Santa Cruz graduate with degrees in Intensive Psychology and Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. I currently work as a Development Associate at Pivotal, where I support efforts to close educational and career opportunity gaps for youth in and from foster care across the Bay Area. My work centers on helping mission-driven organizations build the infrastructure and resources needed to advance equity and expand access to meaningful opportunities.

Applications

Future IDEA Fellowship Opportunities

Application periods and fellowship opportunities vary from year to year. Subscribe to chapter communications for future announcements and program updates.

Contact the IDEA Fellowship Team Subscribe for Updates

Fellowship Supporters

Thank You to Our Supporters

The IDEA Fellowship is made possible through the generosity of organizations and individuals committed to building a more inclusive future for philanthropy.

Endowed Fellowship Sponsor

Health Trust

Individual Contributors

Kathy Kwan
Avnish and Madhu Aggarwal
Becky Levine
Manju Ramachandran

Support the IDEA Fellowship