Vera Bennett

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

As chief financial and administrative officer, Vera is responsible for fiscal oversight, regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness of Silicon Valley Community Foundation's $2 billion in assets. She oversees six departments: grants, gifts and compliance, accounting, investments, information systems, human resources, and facilities. Her responsibilities include managing a $13 million operating budget and a projected $250 million in annual grant disbursements through the unrestricted endowment, 13 supporting foundations and more than 1,500 philanthropic funds.

Vera served as the longtime CFO and interim CEO in 2006 for Peninsula Community Foundation, where she oversaw the investment and management of the foundation's assets.

Before joining Peninsula Community Foundation in 1990, Vera spent 20 years in finance and accounting positions. She served for 10 years as the finance officer at Kainos Home & Training Center, an organization assisting developmentally disabled adults in Redwood City, and served for five years as treasurer of the board of directors at Kainos prior to joining the staff. Bennett also served for three years as a volunteer on the finance committee of the Global Fund for Women.

Vera graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California where she received her bachelor's of science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

A native of San Mateo County, Vera has two grown children, three grandchildren and lives in Redwood City with her husband.