Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), a Project of Tides, today announced four new members of its Board of Advisors:

Arelis Diaz is Program Officer for the Office of the President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), one of the nation’s largest foundations (and a funding partner to EPIP). In this role, She leads WKKF’s corporate responsibility efforts and special initiatives of the president and CEO, on behalf of the organization. Arelis also leads WKKF’s Strong and Effective Sector Portfolio, which works to strengthen philanthropy and particularly its role in advancing racial equity.

Storme Gray is Program Officer at Washington Area Women’s Foundation, where she leads the foundation’s racial equity work, inclusive of the development of the Women's Foundation's’ first advocacy agenda and the creation of a Young Women’s Initiative focused on young women and girls of color in DC. Storme is a change agent and a servant leader, whose commitment to social justice and racial equity are intricately woven into all aspects of her personal and professional life. As one of EPIP’s most engaged members, Storme has served as Vice-Chair for EPIP’s Washington, DC Chapter and has played a prominent role in national EPIP initiatives.

Nakisha M. Lewis, Program Officer for Safety at the Ms. Foundation for Women, is a thought leader in the field of philanthropy and specializes in developing grantmaking strategies that address racial and gender inequities. Nakisha is an activist and organizer with Black Lives Matter NYC and a co-creator of Philanthropic Action for Racial Justice, which advocates for investment in Black communities that centers the needs and experiences of Black women, youth and LGBTQ people. Nakisha is the cofounder of the #SheWoke committee which served as the catalyst and inspiration for the first Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, established in 2016. Her past and present board service includes Resource Generation, Project Hip-Hop, New York Blacks in Philanthropy, and she is a former chair of EPIP’s Boston Chapter.

Colburn “Cole” Wilbur, Trustee Emeritus and former President at the Packard Foundation, brings deep experience as an executive in philanthropy and knowledge of the field. Cole served as CEO of the Foundation for 23 years and a trustee for 15 years. His current and past board affiliations, in addition to EPIP, include Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Stanford Theatre Foundation, the Sierra Club Foundation, and the Council on Foundations. He is a co-author of The Complete Guide to Grantmaking Basics published by the Council on Foundations, as well as Giving with Confidence - a Guide to Savvy Philanthropy.

“We could not be more proud to welcome Arelis, Storme, Nakisha and Cole to our board,” said Christine Reeves Strigaro, Chair of EPIP’s Board of Advisors. “This new slate of advisors brings depth and breadth of experience in philanthropy, leadership, and partnership, as well as a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m thrilled to have them on our team and around our table, as we turn ideas into catalytic actions.”

New members’ first terms as Advisors have officially begun and will extend through the fall of 2018.

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Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), a Project of Tides, cultivates leaders committed to building a just, equitable and sustainable society. EPIP’s national programs and local chapters create safe and creative spaces for rising leaders in philanthropy to connect with one another, gain new tools and skills to enhance their leadership, and spark discussion about the future of the sector. For more information please visit www.epip.org.