Katie Sawyer

As Senior Director of Donor and Community Engagement, Katie leads the team that helps the Foundation’s donors, fundholders and giving circles make an impact on the social issues they care most about through their philanthropy.

Katie brings deep community connections to the role, as well as a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, effective grantmaking, community engagement and strategic planning. Prior to this role, as Executive Director of the San Diego Women’s Foundation she helped grow SDWF’s grantmaking to record highs and led the organization through a thoughtful and ambitious strategic planning process. She previously served as Director of Philanthropy for United Way of San Diego County, and she has a background in direct service nonprofit work.

Katie is a graduate of LEAD San Diego’s Impact and Influence programs, and of the Fieldstone Leadership Network’s Executive Learning program. She has been named one of Assembly District 76’s Women of the Year (2018) and was recognized as the 2019 Nonprofit Visionary by San Diego Magazine.