Avo Makdessian

As vice president of Community Partnerships and Learning at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Avo is a member of SVCF’s leadership team and oversees efforts in community research, convenings of local leaders and collective impact initiatives for the foundation.

Prior to joining SVCF, he was policy director of First 5 Santa Clara County and served as the director of education and neighborhood services for the City of San Jose Mayor’s office. In his past roles, Avo led policy and advocacy efforts in the areas of early childhood development, community development, education, public health and human services.

Avo attended San Jose State University where he studied political science. Born in Connecticut and raised in the Bay Area, Avo lives in San Jose.