Meet the Trailblazers of AFP Golden Gate #3 – July 2025

AFP Golden Gate Chapter
Trailblazers Column 3 (July 2025)

Hans is the Director of Individual and Leadership Giving at San Francisco Opera. With a team of seven incredible major gift officers, he brings together growing audiences to experience opera’s transformative power. Hans has over 17 years of fundraising and donor relations experience and an unremitting devotion to connect philanthropic partners to their passions.

“The performing arts has played a vital role in my life, which is why I’ve dedicated much of my career to ensuring communities have access to the highest caliber of artistry. Attending an opera or play doesn’t just entertain us, it transforms us. We learn about the human condition, deepen our capacity for empathy, and connect with one another. Performing arts organizations are among the most powerful connectors in any community.

AFP Golden Gate Chapter members inspire me to do my best work. They’ve also served as a safety net when I’ve needed it the most. It’s wonderful community of passionate and talented fundraising professionals, and I hope to meet more of you soon”

He would be delighted to connect with you on LinkedIn or anytime you visit the War Memorial Opera House.

“When we connect our values to the causes we care about, we have the power to transform not just the lives of people and communities around us, but ourselves as well.” Gayle Roberts

Gayle Roberts (she/her) is a nationally respected fundraising strategist and AI consultant (website) who has helped raise over $200 million for nonprofit causes over the past three decades. Based in San Francisco, she brings deep experience in major gifts, capital campaigns, and cross-sector partnerships, with a track record spanning youth services, education, health equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.

She is the former Board Chair of the Development Executives Roundtable (DER) and a past co-chair of the AFP Golden Gate Chapter’s IDEA Fellowship, which supports fundraisers from diverse backgrounds. Today, Gayle continues to provide direct fundraising counsel to nonprofits and co-leads AIxImpact, a Bay Area community of practice supporting nonprofit leaders in adopting ethical, equity-centered AI. She also helps moderate OpenAI’s 17,000+ member private global forum.

Next month, Gayle will lead the AFP Golden Gate webinar, “Beyond the Buzz: Using AI to Power Your Fundraising,” focused on real-world, responsible strategies for integrating AI. Discounted registration for AFP members!

Matt is the Founder & CEO of Queer For Hire, and has built his business around this exact principle. He strives to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community to a level of Queer Extravagance that achieves both personal success and shared equity for all through the power of authenticity, uniting diverse people, and maximizing the abundance of philanthropy on all levels.

“Pride isn’t just something we acknowledge; it’s something we build into every strategy, every campaign, and every conversation. I’m a career Queer fundraiser! I’ve been doing this work for almost a decade. Being Queer has taught me how to read a room and rewrite the rules at the same time. As a Queer person, I’ve spent my life navigating systems that weren’t designed for me, and that gives me a unique ability to build new ones. I lead with transparency, empathy, and intersectionality. I believe that fundraising is about building relationships rooted in trust, authenticity, and shared vision. My Queerness has taught me that there’s power in being different, and that lived experience isn’t a liability, it’s a leadership asset.”

We asked Matt for what advice he would give to young LGBTQ+ professionals entering the nonprofit or fundraising space: “Your story is your superpower. Don’t feel pressure to code-switch or dim your light to fit into outdated systems. This field needs your vision. Find your people — mentors, peers, and colleagues who will cheer you on and call you in. And know that it’s OK to ask for what you need: emotionally, professionally, financially. You’re not just building a career, you’re shaping a future where Queer leadership isn’t exceptional, it’s expected.”

We invite you to read a longer profile we published about Matt on the AFP Golden Gate blog here.

Are You a Trailblazer?
Are you a fundraising trailblazer in Northern California and a member of AFP Golden Gate? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your new job or job change. Are you a consultant with a new client or client success? Did you join a nonprofit Board? Did you recently receive a new fundraising certification? We invite you to submit your Fundraising Trailblazer story which will be reviewed by our editorial team. The submission is free and Chapter membership is required.