What We Do
Leadership Award
Recognizing leaders for their work in improving the lives of older adults.
Metta Fund Leadership Awards
Metta Fund’s Leadership Award was launched in 2021 to recognize the visionary work of community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life for older adults in San Francisco and beyond.
The Foundation celebrates these leaders, spotlights their work, and provides a $10,000 grant to an older adult-serving nonprofit organization of the awardee’s choice.
Hosted biannually, the leadership program is designed to bring visibility, recognition, and awareness not only to the leaders but also to the overlooked issue of aging within our society. The award exemplifies one of the many ways Metta Fund is committed to elevating the public dialogue around aging and equity.
2024 Awardee: Anni Chung
Anni Chung, CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, was recognized for her 40+ of exemplary leadership and groundbreaking work for the Bay Area older adult Asian and Chinese community. An honorary celebration was held at the San Francisco City Club.
2022 Awardee: Sandi Mori
Long-time community leader and former Metta Fund board member Sandy Mori received the award for her decades-long advocacy and organizing work in support of older adults, particularly the establishment of San Francisco’s Dignity Fund. A celebratory leadership award reception took place at the historic Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco’s Japantown.
2021 Awardee: Shireen McSpadden
Shireen McSpadden was the inaugural recipient of the Metta Fund Leadership Award; she is the former Director of SF Department of Aging Services. Shireen demonstrated exemplary commitment to creating greater equity and sought ways to increase access to services, supports, and opportunities for older San Franciscans. An award ceremony and celebration took place at the Bayview Opera House.