At TFN, we believe our strength lies in our people, and we take pride in recognizing the expertise and commitment of our team members. This ongoing series — Meet the Team — highlights the talented individuals who power our network.
BY Brooke McPherson, Communications and Engagement Associate, The Funders Network
In this edition of Meet the Team, we’re excited to spotlight our Director of TFN’s Smart Growth California, Ron Milam!
TFN: Hey Ron! Can you tell us about your role at TFN? What does a typical day look like for you?
Ron: I direct Smart Growth California and a typical day involves working with my colleagues at TFN, especially with Diana Williams and Kriselda Bautista, to create engaging spaces for funder learning, alignment and collaboration. A lot of energy goes into planning and facilitating gatherings, both virtual and in-person, where funders to learn from each other, engage in a dialog directly with advocates and policy makers, and lift up opportunities for funder action. Throughout these conversations and in our work in general, we center racial equity in everything we do.
Ron at a Smart Growth California Statewide Steering Committee meeting.
TFN: What’s something you’re especially proud of in your work right now?
Ron: I’m proud that so many funders in our network are stepping up in these extremely challenging times in a multitude of ways. The two that immediately come to mind are The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation, both of whom have increased their annual giving in support of front-line, organizations and networks doing the on the ground work in support of healthy, resilient communities. Now is the time for funders to stretch and move more resources to communities in crisis!
TFN: From wildfires to immigration raids to water crises and affordable housing, California faces challenges that resonate far beyond the state. What’s something the rest of the country could learn from what’s happening across the Golden State?
Ron: It’s been a tough year for sure, especially with everything my hometown of Los Angeles has gone through with fires, federal funding cuts, immigration raids…But California has a rich history of power building work that continues through today. At our 2019 Funder Summit, we heard from Dr. Manual Pastor, who captured a lot of this history in his book State of Resistance: What California’s Dizzying Descent and Remarkable Resurgence Means for America’s Future, which I recommend to anyone who wants to learn more from California. And if you want to learn more, I invite you to attend our 2026 Funder Summit (stay tuned for dates and location)!
Ron at a Los Angeles Funders’ Collaborative lunch
TFN: Many will remember you for leading our closing debrief at TFN’s 25th Anniversary Conference in Baltimore earlier this year. What’s something that’s stayed with you from that experience?
Ron: I love facilitating in-person gatherings and that was such a powerful way to synthesize some of the learnings and potential next steps from our very inspirational 25th Anniversary Conference. While we started that conversation as a large group, what’s stayed with me was walking around the main room during the smaller group conversations that took place at each of the tables, where folks where sharing, jotting down ideas on Post–it notes, smiling and laughing. Something magical happens when folks connect in person that builds community, trust, relationships and the possibilities for a better future.
TFN: When you’re not deep in strategy or facilitation, what helps you recharge or stay grounded?
Ron: Spending time the forest, on my bicycle or on or in the water definitely helps me recharge and stay grounded. And if one of my kids joins me in any of these activities, that’s even better!
TFN: As you know, The Funders Network is celebrating 25 years with the theme Be Bold Together. How does boldness show up in your work?
Ron: For me, being bold means building bridges across issues and geographies — and finding ways for funders to do together what they can’t do alone. I bring together people who may not typically collaborate, and while it’s not always easy, I believe boldness is about holding a bigger vision and inviting others into it, even when the path forward isn’t fully clear.
Thank you, Ron, for giving us a behind-the-scenes look at all the meaningful ways you support TFN’s work. We’re so lucky to have you as part of TFN’s team!
Keep an eye out for the next team member spotlight as we continue to celebrate the people who bring bring boldness and joyful purpose to this work.