Welcoming Deb Self to the Rose Foundation Community!

The Rose Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of Deb Self as Rose’s next Executive Director effective August 18, 2025. Deb joins Rose at a pivotal moment as we sharpen our strategic focus, deepen our core programs, and expand our impact across California and the Pacific Northwest.

Deb brings over four decades of nonprofit organization leadership to her new position as Executive Director of the Rose Foundation. She pairs this deep experience with unwavering compassion. Her lifelong advocacy is grounded in a deep concern for environmental and health inequities in historically BIPOC and marginalized communities—from the American South where she grew up, to California’s East Bay where she has lived for 30 years. She is a devoted champion of nature-based climate solutions and equitable access to green and coastal spaces—places where everyone can feel safe, affirmed, and connected to the natural world.

Deb’s track record speaks for itself:

• As Executive Director of Greater Farallones Association, Deb tripled funding and doubled staff, focusing on climate science, habitat restoration, and science education for thousands of low-income youth across the Bay Area. In addition to managing a large federal partnership, she built a strong workplace culture by centering inclusion and equity throughout the organization.
• As Executive Director of San Francisco Baykeeper, she led landmark litigation, dramatically reducing pollution in Bay communities, and directed over millions in settlement funds to Rose Foundation to support and restore impacted communities.
• At Earthjustice, a $50-million national environmental advocacy organization, she managed teams of major gift and foundation officers, consistently generating six-figure gifts.
• To learn more about Deb’s background, read the full press release.

“Joining the Rose Foundation is both an honor and a profound responsibility,” Deb shared. “At a time when our climate and communities face unprecedented challenges, I’m excited to listen, learn, and collaborate with our staff, board, grantees, and community leaders to build a just, sustainable future—grounded in community wisdom and collective action.”

Deb steps into this role as the Rose Foundation celebrates over 30 years of grassroots impact—growing from a two-person operation at a kitchen table in Oakland to a nationally respected leader in environmental justice. Since 1992, we’ve invested over $70 million in more than 2,800 community-based organizations, always guided by the belief that those most impacted must lead the solutions. Under Deb Self’s leadership, the Rose Foundation is positioned to expand its reach further, bringing strategic grantmaking to affected communities bearing the brunt of climate change and pollution.

This appointment follows a thoughtful and inclusive search process led by our Board of Directors. We are grateful to our founders, whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for all we do—and whose spirit lives on in our work today.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Deb Self to the Rose Foundation. We look forward to introducing her to you in the coming months and continuing this journey together — building a future grounded in justice, equity, and community resilience.