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Taylor Cobb, Managing Director of Development

We’re thrilled to welcome Taylor Cobb as �鶹��Ƶ Bay Area’s new Managing Director of Development! A passionate advocate for education and equity, Taylor brings deep experience in building partnerships that fuel impact. In her new role, they’ll lead our efforts to strengthen relationships with donors, corporations, and community leaders who share our belief in the power of young people to change the world. We sat down with Taylor to learn more about what inspires her, what drew her to �鶹��Ƶ, and her vision for the work ahead.

Q: What drew you to �鶹��Ƶ and to this role leading development for the Bay Area?

A: I’ve always been drawn to organizations that don’t just talk about equity — they actually show up where young people are and do the work. �鶹��Ƶ’s model of putting corps members directly in schools, supporting students every single day, felt incredibly authentic to me. Throughout my career, I’ve been focused on building partnerships that create real pathways for educational access, and �鶹��Ƶ does exactly that while also developing the next generation of leaders. When this opportunity came up in the Bay Area — a place known for innovation and social impact — it felt like the perfect match for where I want to make a difference.

Q: You’ve spent your career helping organizations grow their impact — what about �鶹��Ƶ’s mission most resonates with you personally?

A: What really speaks to me is how �鶹��Ƶ bridges gaps — not just achievement gaps, but the gaps between communities, between potential and opportunity. I’ve spent years working on building capacity for organizations creating pathways for all children to succeed. �鶹��Ƶ’s dual focus — investing in young corps members while supporting the students who need it most — aligns perfectly with how I think about lasting change. It’s not either/or; it’s recognizing that when we develop people’s strengths and build supportive systems, everyone rises together. That’s the kind of unified vision for our children that drives me.

Q: When you think about the work ahead, what excites you most about building partnerships and expanding support for our Student Success Coaches and schools?

A: I’m genuinely excited about connecting the dots between what’s happening in our classrooms and the partners who want to invest in that impact. There are incredible stories unfolding every day with our Student Success Coaches and the students they serve, and my job is to help those stories reach the people and organizations that share our values. I love the challenge of diversifying how we fund this work, whether that’s engaging Bay Area tech companies, building foundation relationships, or creating innovative giving programs. I’ve had success managing complex development strategies before, and I’m ready to bring that same data-driven, creative approach to expanding �鶹��Ƶ’s reach.

Q: �鶹��Ƶ is all about teamwork and belonging — how do you approach building relationships with staff, donors, and the broader community?

A: For me, it always starts with listening and showing up authentically. I believe relationships are built on trust and genuine care for people’s success, whether that’s a team member I’m coaching, a donor I’m partnering with, or a community leader we’re collaborating with. I try to meet people where they are, understand what motivates them, and find that sweet spot where their passions align with our mission. I also believe in being clear about where we’re going and helping people see how essential they are to getting there. The best partnerships feel mutual — everyone’s invested, everyone’s valued, and we’re all working toward something bigger than ourselves.

Q: What’s something you’ve learned in your career that you’ll bring with you to �鶹��Ƶ?

A: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that fundraising isn’t really about asking for money. It’s about inviting people into a movement they want to be part of. When you focus on building genuine relationships, being transparent about impact, and showing people exactly how their support changes lives, they don’t just give once, they become lifelong partners in the work. I’ve also learned that data is your friend. Numbers and dashboards aren’t boring! They’re powerful tools for accountability and celebration. And finally, I’ve learned that diversifying revenue streams isn’t just smart strategy; it’s what keeps organizations resilient when the funding landscape shifts.

Q: Outside of work, what inspires or energizes you?

A: I’m finishing my doctorate in education right now, which probably tells you I’m someone who loves learning and challenging myself. I get energized by diving into new ideas, whether that’s through research, professional development, or just great conversations with people doing interesting work. I also find a lot of meaning in mentoring emerging leaders — helping people develop their potential and find their path. And I stay connected to the nonprofit community in Philadelphia, where I served as board chair for the Mazzoni Center. I think my drive comes from this combination of wanting to keep growing myself while also opening doors for others.

Q: Looking ahead, what does success in your first year at �鶹��Ƶ Bay Area look like to you?

A: Success to me looks like three things. First, really strong relationships with our current donors and partners. I want to understand what drives them, show them meaningful impact, and deepen their connection to this work. Second, new partnerships and revenue streams that expand what we can do, whether that’s corporate partners, foundation grants, or planned giving. And third, building the internal infrastructure that helps our team work smarter and more strategically. At the end of the day, though, I’ll measure success by whether we’ve grown our capacity to serve more students, support more corps members, and solidify �鶹��Ƶ Bay Area’s role as a leader in education equity and youth development.

We’re so excited to have Taylor on our leadership team and can’t wait to see the impact her vision and energy will bring to �鶹��Ƶ Bay Area. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome as she helps us continue serving students, building leaders, and bridging communities across the Bay Area.