Philanthropy Innovation Summit 2025 | Mainstage Program

Lisa Sobrato Sonsini established the Sobrato Family Foundation in 1996 as a vehicle for multiple generations of the Sobrato family to unify their philanthropic giving for maximum impact and has served as its Board Chair for over 25 years. The Sobrato Family Foundation is now part of a larger umbrella of philanthropic entities known as Sobrato Philanthropies whose mission is to partner with communities to meet immediate needs, address systemic barriers, and pursue social justice. Sobrato Philanthropies is part of The Sobrato Organization, a multi-generational, family-owned firm that has played a dynamic role in the emergence and growth of Silicon Valley for nearly 70 years. The family’s vision is to leverage their real estate, capital, and philanthropic enterprises by integrating them for impact in support of creating a more equitable and sustainable world.

Lisa is a strong advocate for the rights of disadvantaged youth in both the educational and foster care systems. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for KQED, Silicon Schools, and SEAL. Honors include the John W. Gardner Leadership Award from American Leadership Forum, Humanitarian of the Year from Hidden Villa, and San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee. Lisa received a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA.

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Fay Twersky is the president and director of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, where she collaborates with the Blank family to define philanthropic initiatives that promote a better world. Additionally, she is part of the Executive Leadership Team for the Blank Family of Businesses, which includes entities like the Atlanta Falcons and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Fay joined the foundation in February 2021 after serving as Vice President at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, where she led the Effective Philanthropy Group. She co-founded the Fund for Shared Insight, a $63 million collaborative supporting over 500 nonprofits focused on amplifying marginalized voices.

Previously, Fay worked in Jerusalem as a Senior Advisor to Yad Hanadiv, the largest independent foundation in Israel, and served as a director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where she co-founded Youth Truth, a student feedback system. Fay also founded BTW – Informing Change, a strategic consulting firm for nonprofits.

A noted author and commentator on philanthropy, Fay has contributed to the Stanford Social Innovation Review with articles on measurement, collaboration, and effective leadership in foundations. She is a trustee of the Van Leer Foundation and chair of the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, as well as a member of the International Women’s Forum of Georgia.

Recognized for her influence, Fay was named one of Atlanta’s most influential people by Axios in 2022 and has made the NonProfit Times’ Power and Influence list in 2023 and 2024. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Rhetoric from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in City Planning from MIT. Fay lives with her wife Jill and their two children, Jaz and David Nathan, along with their dog, Zadie.

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Paul Brest is Former Dean and Professor Emeritus (active), at Stanford Law School, a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, co-director of the Effective Philanthropy Learning Initiative at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, and co-director of the Stanford Law and Policy Lab. He was president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 2000-2012.He is co-author of Money Well Spent: A Strategic Guide to Smart Philanthropy (2^nd ed. 2018), Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Professional Judgment (2010), and articles on constitutional law, philanthropy, and impact investing. His current courses include Problem Solving for Social Change, Thinking in Systems, The University in Crisis, and two undergraduate courses: Democracy and Disagreement and Citizenship in the 21^st Century. He also the co-creator of the open and free online interactive courses, Developing a Strategy for Social Change and Thinking in Systems.

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