AFP Golden Gate Chapter
Trailblazers Column 6 (October 2025)
Trailblazers Column 6 (October 2025)
Our monthly Trailblazers column shines a light on our members and other Bay Area development professionals who dedicate their lives and careers to creating a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising. — Michael Stein and Andrew Allanson.
Rita Fuerst Adams, Charitable and Philanthropic Management Counsel
Rita brings strategic clarity to the social sector—helping organizations plan for sustainable growth, strengthen boards, and channel philanthropy into real-world solutions. A prolific author and educator, she taught Entrepreneurship for Nonprofits in the master’s program in Organizational Leadership at Wheelock College.
A proud AFP leader, Rita served as a founding Trustee and President of the AFP Hills of Ohio Chapter. In partnership with the Schooler Family Foundation, she helped direct resources to nonprofits across Appalachia—work that deepened her commitment to community-led change.
Rita’s philosophy is simple and demanding: love your mission enough that you’d do the work for free; learn the craft—its history, laws, and global practice; and use your platform to elevate the voices you serve. She believes thriving teams treat staff like valued volunteers and volunteers like leaders, and that mentorship and steady curiosity are the fundraiser’s best teachers.
“Have faith. One person can change the world. Find mentors, keep learning, and be the voice that helps communities shape their own future.”
We invite you to learn more about Rita’s background on LinkedIn.
Jessie Wong, Corporate Relations Manager, Children’s Council of San Francisco
Jessie is a proud Bay Area native with over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector. As the Corporate Relations Manager at Children’s Council of San Francisco, she cultivates and manages partnerships with employers, corporate foundations, and the broader Bay Area business community – raising awareness about the transformative impact of equitable early care and education.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible businesses committed to uplifting the communities they serve. From an artist manager arranging a meet-and-greet for a child with a life-threatening illness, to an LGBTQIA employee resource group rallying support for a trans superhero rock opera, to a corporate grant empowering home-based caregivers to launch their businesses. I am constantly moved by companies and their employees stepping up to meet the needs of the community.”
How has AFP impacted her career? “I’m deeply grateful to AFP Golden Gate for the unwavering support they’ve shown me since I attended my first networking event in 2024. The mentorship and guidance I’ve received from fellow AFP members have been instrumental in shaping me as the fundraiser I am today – and for that, I’m truly thankful.”
To connect with Jessie (she loves going on coffee chats) you can find her on LinkedIn.