Sofia Michelakis, Director of Philanthropy Development
Sofia works with individual SVP Partners, connecting them to people and opportunities that will optimize their giving and increase their impact. She also designs SVP’s educational curriculum and facilitates peer learning groups.
Sofia describes herself as a "recovering attorney." Following law school, Sofia practiced corporate law for five years and specialized in representing emerging technology companies in corporate governance and transactional matters, which included venture capital financings and public offerings. She then turned her energies to the nonprofit sector, and worked at a social enterprise catalyst in South America, helping nonprofits with business planning and sustainability efforts.
Prior to joining SVP, Sofia designed a microenterprise loan program to serve the greater Puget Sound area. Sofia received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, and her J.D., cum laude, from University of Michigan Law School.
Read more about Sofia's journey >>
Please feel free to contact Sofia for the following:
- Maximizing your personal philanthropy
- Attending our educational curriculum of workshops and seminars
- SVP’s philanthropy development outcomes
- Joining or starting a group around shared philanthropic interests such as: sustainable business, raising compassionate children, cultural competency/power, and transitioning your career from the for-profit to nonprofit sector.
Phone: 206.374.8757 x22 | Email: sofiam@svpseattle.org | LinkedIn
More from Sofia...
What's Love Got to Do With It? 5 Keys to a Successful Relationship with Your Cause
It’s Valentine’s Day and my Facebook newsfeed is filled with love. Tender messages, romantic dinner plans, and joyous celebration over the Marriage Equality Bill. It’s got me wondering how love and passion are sustained. Marriage is certainly no guarantee for long-term commitment and happiness, but it’s certainly a symbol. So what’s the symbol of sustaining a different kind of passion – philanthropic passion? How do you renew your ‘vow’ to make a difference in the world?
The Donor is Not Always Right
Recently I attended a fundraising breakfast in Seattle, Washington. The organization serves people who are homeless due to addiction and/or mental health issues. Their mission resonates with me on a personal level. My mother is mentally ill and I lost my brother to a drug overdose. Supporting them, in many ways, helps me. And this year, I found it helped me in an unexpected way.
Sofia's Story
Ever since I can remember I’ve been passionate about fairness and social causes. I remember instigating discussions during Thanksgiving dinners about how girls could be as good in math as boys and that maybe men should change their last names when they got married. I was eight and labeled a radical by my relatives who warned that no one would ever marry me.
Changing the Face of Homelessness
Wednesday the SVP Family Service Group put together toiletry bags for clients of Operation Sack Lunch. As I was traveling to KidsQuest, I started thinking about our project and the clients who would receive the toiletry bags. Immediately, stereotypical faces of people experiencing homelessness appeared in my head. Then, it suddenly dawned on me that I do know someone who is experiencing periodic homelessness, and it’s someone much closer to me than you might imagine.
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