Oakland, CA, January 21, 2025 – Today, East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) announced that Autumn McDonald has been selected as the new Vice President of Community Investments and Partnerships, starting on February 10. McDonald joins EBCF from New America where she was a senior fellow, head of New America CA, and a member of New America’s leadership team.
“Autumn is a visionary leader who is able to connect the dots between strategy, policy, systems change, and the community,” said Brandi Howard, President and CEO of EBCF. “Her diverse experience, deep curiosity, and commitment to learning will make her a huge asset for EBCF and the East Bay.”

McDonald has more than twenty years of experience working with government, foundations, and nonprofit organizations on strategy, policy, innovation, and impact. A resident of Oakland for more than a decade, McDonald serves on the boards of Women’s Foundation of California, KQED, and as chair of the board of Lincoln Families. She is eager to expand her contributions to the East Bay’s rich social change ecosystem via EBCF. “East Bay resident voices and local capacity are important sources of strength and empowerment. I look forward to deeply engaging with members of our community to advance their priorities,” said McDonald. “I can’t think of a better place to pursue that mission than EBCF.”
McDonald has partnered with community foundations in the past, as well. During her time at New America and in partnership with Fresno’s DRIVE Initiative, McDonald worked with the Central Valley Community Foundation to conduct a series of human-centered interviews that helped government and nonprofit organizations understand the economic concerns of community members.
“Autumn understands that building inclusive economies is about more than jobs and the cost of housing – it’s about transforming the social contract,” says Ashley Swearengin, former mayor of Fresno and President & CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation. “This work happens locally, and it starts with listening to community members. It’s been a joy to partner with Autumn in Fresno, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at EBCF.”
Before her time at New America, McDonald was an executive fellow with FUSE Corps, advising San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on strategies for improving economic opportunity for Bay Area families. She has deep expertise at the intersection of economic equity, narrative change, and community engagement.
“Autumn is the kind of joyous, empowering leader we need to shape the future of EBCF. She knows what it takes to change the conditions of people’s lives, and she is not afraid to do hard things,” said Howard. “That is exactly the kind of leadership the East Bay deserves.”
“At EBCF, I have the opportunity to build on nearly 100 years of work on behalf of East Bay communities,” said McDonald. “It is a huge privilege to help write EBCF’s next chapter, and to contribute to Brandi Howard’s vision of an East Bay where everyone has the economic freedom to dream, heal, and belong.”
McDonald will oversee EBCF’s strategic grantmaking and regional collaborations, leading a team of program officers focused on advancing arts and culture, inclusive economies, movement infrastructure, community organizing, and capacity building with a racial equity lens.