Quinn Delaney is the Founder and Board Chair of Akonadi Foundation, which supports the development of powerful social change movements to eliminate structural racism and create a racially just society. The Foundation funds primarily in Oakland with a focus on ending the criminalization of people of color.
In addition to Akonadi Foundation, she currently serves on the boards of East Bay Community Foundation, Oakland Museum of California, Community Change, Women Donors Network Action and Smart Justice California. For many years her focus has been on transforming the criminal justice system.
Quinn’s strategy is to bridge the work of nonprofit community organizing and political campaigning. She is involved in an advisory capacity with political organizing groups such as California Donor Table, Fund Her, Emerge America and Way to Win.
In 2022, Quinn was appointed by President Biden to the Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of eminent private citizens appointed by the President to select and honor the Presidential Scholars. Commissioners are selected from across the country, representing the fields of education, medicine, law, social services, business, and other professions. The Commissioners make the final selection of the 161 Presidential Scholars. The Scholars demonstrate exceptional accomplishments in academics, the arts, career and technical education and an outstanding commitment to public service.