Director, Treasurer and Senior Partner
‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ My wife and I have repeated this lesson to our three children from the day they were born, and we strive to model it in our daily actions and interactions. As a committed advocate for California’s kids — a job I like to call my full, lifetime employment act — I believe that there is nothing more important to our society’s collective future than ensuring that our public schools work for all students, regardless of background. There is no “one size fits all” for a student’s experience in school. I know this firsthand: my wife thrived in the classroom and went on to become a high school English teacher, while I struggled through school and succeeded only through the support of patient public school teachers and learning specialists. I was one of the lucky ones, and we still have a long way to go to make sure that every kid has the long term support necessary to succeed. And I’m not going to stop until we get there.”
Phil and his wife founded the Silver Giving Foundation in 1998. Since then, he has devoted abundant time, energy, and resources to policy and operational issues facing education in California. Locally, Phil serves as Chairman of the San Francisco School Alliance. The Alliance builds partnerships, raises money and advocates for policies to ensure a high-quality education for every student in San Francisco’s public schools. Also in support of San Francisco’s public schools, Phil co-chaired the successful $450 million 2006 School Bond and the $400 million 2008 Quality Teaching and Education.
