Iara Peng

Iara Peng has a diverse work experience, with roles in various organizations and initiatives. In 2010, they served as a Board Member at Tides, where they provided financial and management services to individuals and organizations. From 2012 to 2018, they were a Board Member at THE BAKER INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS, focusing on supporting children with hearing loss. In 2012, they also worked as an Organizational Development and Fund Development Consultant at the Alliance for Climate Education, educating and inspiring young people to address climate change. In 2016, they became the Director of Strategy and Operations at Solidaire, aligning resources with movements promoting justice and equality. In 2017, Iara co-founded the Emergent Fund, which provides quick resources to communities facing discrimination. In the same year, they also founded the JustFund, a platform connecting funders with grassroots organizations. In 2018, they founded Prism, a BIPOC-led nonprofit news outlet. In 2019, they became a Board Member at the Donors of Color Network, supporting donors and movement leaders of color. Lastly, in 2021, they founded and became the Board Chair of the Democratizing Philanthropy Project, empowering underfunded BIPOC-led organizations with small donor revenue. In 2022, they joined the East Bay Community Foundation as a Board Member. Overall, Iara's work experience shows their dedication to empowering marginalized communities and promoting social change.

Iara Peng completed their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science and Communications from Rollins College, from 1994 to 1998. Iara then pursued a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree at Columbia | SIPA from 2001 to 2003.